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Abstract

Older adults are faced with complex decision tasks that impose high working memory demands. A representative task is choosing a prescription drug plan from a multitude of options that must be evaluated along many factors. The combined effect of the quantity of complex information, and reduced working memory capacity puts older adults at a disadvantage. However, research with younger adults suggests that the working memory burden of decision tasks can be reduced using well-designed graphic decision aids. The current study examines the feasibility of using information visualizations as a decision support system for complex decision tasks. Findings from this study will be used to make recommendations for visualizations as complex decision support systems.

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Information Visualizations as Complex Decision Support Systems

Abstract

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References