Abstract
This research examined the effects two different cognitive individual differences (perceptual speed and spatial scanning) on information retrieval performance under two matched and two mismatched database format/query conditions. A graphic and a tabular form of an airline database were constructed, along with questions that required users to search through the database to determine the correct response. Two types of questions were designed - graphic and tabular. The data indicate that users are faster when the format of the information in the database matches the type of information needed to answer the question and that cognitive individual differences are differentially predictive of performance in the matched and mismatched conditions. Recommendations for database design are presented.
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