Ambiguity and Content Mapping among Display Types

Abstract: The present study examines the efficacy of four display types. We tested digital, bar graph, polar graphic (Coury, Boulette, & Smith, 1989) and a coordinate display type. Participants completed a state classification task as described by Coury et al. Results indicate a clear performance difference among displays. The coordinate display showed significantly higher response accuracy and lower response times. The polar graphic display performed the poorest on both outcomes. Bar and digital displays demonstrated approximately equivalent performance. These results lend further support to the importance of ecological interface design and are consistent with the principles of semantic mapping. Directions for further study are discussed.