Effective Ivis Icon Comprehension Research: Context and Response Scaling Methods

Abstract

A refined approach used to determine the comprehension level of in-vehicle information system (IVIS) icons is introduced. This approach provides three primary improvements over classical evaluation procedures (e.g., ISO, 2001). First, this approach recommends the inclusion of context to ensure realistic comprehension scores. Second, the scaling method employed provides concrete, well-defined measurement criteria based on major and minor elements included in the icon message. Third, this approach allows the comprehension testing team to provide better diagnostic information back to the icon designers because it allows for analysis of what element(s) of the icon the subjects seemed to understand and what element(s) may have led to errors in comprehension. We recommend using this approach to provide high quality comprehension information for IVIS icon evaluations.