Izak Benbasat
Abstract
A series of three laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the influence of graphical and color-enhanced information presentation modes on decision quality, decision making time, use of information, and user perceptions. The experimental design allowed for the unconfounded study of line graphs and color using a variety of information presentation designs for the same decision making task. Based on the findings of these studies, propositions about the impact of graphics and color on individual decision makers are presented. The influence of presentation mode on human performance and the perceived value of information is related to how well it supports the solution approach to a particular task. The benefits of graphics are limited to reducing decision making time but only when the graphical report has been designed to directly assist in solving the task. Multicolor reports aid in decision making, but only in specific circumstances, that is, their benefits are not pervasive. It appears that color is more advantageous when associated with graphical reports, for certain decision maker types, during learning periods, and in time constrained environments.
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Index Terms
- An experimental program investigating color-enhanced and graphical information presentation: an integration of the findings
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Reviews
Douglas Roy McQuilken
This paper studies the results of three experiments using tabular, graphical, monocolor, and multicolor output presentations in support of decision making tasks. The experiments measure the influences of color and information presentation on (1) decision making quality and individuals of differing personality styles; (2) decision making behavior and report use; and (3) decision making quality under varying time constraints. The results of the experiments are encapsulated and presented clearly in several tables accompanying the text. The paper draws two propositions: (1)“The influence of presentation format on decision making effectiveness depends on how well the format supports the solution to the task.” (2)“Color has a positive influence on decision making effectiveness; however, the benefits of color are more evident for graphical reports, under time constraints, during the learning period, and for field-dependent individuals.” The authors' use of scientific method and the isolation of the key variables used in the experiments is very good. The text of the document, however, assumes that the reader is well versed in the current literature on this topic. Extensive references are provided.
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