Abstract
This study evaluates whether the approach of ecological interface design (EID) can be applied to natural systems. Whereas the EID has proved its worth in a number of studies done at interfaces for complex artificial systems, its application to natural systems is just emerging. A display was designed for tide predictions. This new tidal display, referred to as the ecological document (ED), was evaluated against a classical table format and a commercially available graphical display, to assess the cognitive contribution of the ED to user performance for maritime novices and experts. The results are that the ED leads to less misreading, shorter response times, and a subjective preference among novices and experts. In particular, response times to questions concerning abstract functions of the domain decrease with the use of the ED. Thus, a document reflecting the domain can significantly improve information retrieval, and in particular cognitive processing on abstract functions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Notes
When answering question (5, tide rising time span) with the Maréegraf ©®, the exact information is neither provided by the rough triangles nor by inserted minutes for the low tide. Although one is put on the right track, the precise answer can only be given by resorting to the side table.
References
Burns CM, Bryant DJ, Chalmers BA (2005) Boundary, purpose, and values in work-domain models: models of naval command and control. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern 35:603–616
Christoffersen K, Woods D (2003) Making sense of change: the challenge of events in operations environments [on line]. Available: http://www.csel.eng.ohio-state.edu/woods/CTA_Studies/MSoC2.1.pdf
Desgagnés H (2000) Statistiques sur les incidents de recherche et de sauvetage. Région Laurentienne. Statistics on incidents and rescue. Laurentienne area [on line]. Available: http://www.marinfo.gc.ca/fr/statistiques/2000/RapportStatistique00_francais.pdf
Gibson EJ (1979) The ecological approach to visual perception. Houghton Mifflin, Boston
Health and Safety Executive (2004) Guidelines for safe working in estuaries and tidal areas when harvesting produce such as cockles, mussels and shrimps [on line]. Available: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/estuary.htm
Les Glénans (1999) Le nouveau cours des Glénans. The new course of Glénans. Cinquième édition, Seuil, Paris
Jansson A, Olsson E, Erlandsson M (2006) Bridging the gap between analysis and design: improving existing driver interfaces with tools from the framework of cognitive work analysis. Cogn Technol Work 8:41–49
Jungk A, Thull B, Hoeft A, Rau G (1999) Ergonomic evaluation of an ecological interface and a profilogram display for hemodynamic monitoring. J Clin Monit Comput 15:469–479
Morineau T, Blanche C, Tobin L, Guéguen N (2005) The emergence of the contextual role of the e-book in cognitive processes through an ecological and functional analysis. Int J Hum Comput Stud 62:329–348
OceanFun Publishing (2006) Tide times pocketbooks, solunar times, and tide calendars [on line]. Available: http://www.ofu.co.nz
Pejtersen AM, Rasmussen J (1997) Ecological information systems and support of learning: coupling work domain information to user characteristics. In: Helander M, Landauer TK, Prabhu P (eds) Handbook of human–computer interaction, 2nd edn. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, pp 315–346
Pillich B (1997) Tidal overlay and dynamic ECDIS: a giant step from paper chart and tide tables. OCEANS’97, MTS/IEEE conference proceedings, vol 2, pp 967–973
Rasmussen J (1986) Information processing and human–machine interaction: an approach to cognitive engineering. North-Holland, New York
Terrier P, Cellier JM (1999) Depth of processing and design-assessment of ecological interfaces: task analysis. Int J Hum Comput Stud 50:287–307
Vicente KJ (1999) Cognitive work analysis, toward safe, productive and healthy computer-based work. Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ
Vicente KJ (2002) Ecological interface design: process and challenges. Hum Factors 44:62–78
Vicente KJ, Rasmussen J (1990) The ecology of human machine systems II: mediating “direct perception” in complex work domain. Ecol Psychol 2:207–249
Vicente KJ, Rasmussen J (1992) Ecological interface design: theoretical foundations. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern 22:589–606
Acknowledgments
We are very grateful to Professor William Wong, University of Middlesex, UK, for having significantly contributed to the improvement of this work. We thank the French Military Naval Academy for their participation in this study. We express special gratitude to Lieutenant de Vaisseaux Dupont and Thomas Devogele of the Naval Academy Research Institute (IRENAV). We also thank the French National Sailing Academy (Mr. Mourrot). Many thanks to the 55 participants. Finally, this study would not have been possible without the authorisation of Mr J. M. Pierre (“Le Maréegraf”) and that of the French National Hydrographic Office (SHOM): Authorisation no. 378/2005. This study was partly financed by MARSOUIN Research Group funds.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Morineau, T., Beuzet, E., Rachinel, A. et al. Experimental evaluation of a tide prediction display based on the ecological interface design framework. Cogn Tech Work 11, 119–127 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-007-0103-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-007-0103-y