Integrated Research Paradigm for Complex Experimentation

Abstract

Most human factors design problems involve large data spaces with so many factors that a single experiment investigating all of these factors simultaneously is unreasonable. The design of a computer-based telephone inquiry system is presented as an example interface which required consideration of over 100 independent variables which could affect end-user performance. An integrated research paradigm involving the three major steps of selecting, describing, and optimizing these independent variables is presented. Specific methods and design implications are described for each of these steps. This overall strategy for sequential experimentation is discussed in terms of its usefulness in human factors design applications.