Chapter 7: Sea-Searching Simulation: second experiment

This chapter, following the findings of Chapter 6, investigates costing information, for a modified version of the same task, as a means of discovering about information use, and about the human structuring of the task. Here, novel analytic techniques are introduced, revealing an individual `context' structure to the task. Ideas both for extensions of these experiments, and for further experiments on the same task, are included in the discussion at the end of this chapter.

Chapter overview and links to contents

7.1 Experimental methodology and the implementation of changes
7.1.1 Costing the information
7.1.2 Rearranging the ROV turn controls
Figure 7.1: The interface in the second sea-searching experiment
7.1.3 Introducing weather
7.1.4 New arrangements for subjects
7.1.5 Other changes

7.2 Analytic methods and results
7.2.1 Analysis of sensor usage
7.2.2 The idea of context applied to this analysis
7.2.3 Analytic approach
7.2.4 Analysis structure
7.2.4.1 Finding context structure
7.2.4.2 Using context structure in the remaining analysis
7.2.5 Analysis of data from subject AJ
7.2.6 Analysis of data from subject MT
7.2.7 Deriving rules for contexts
7.2.8 Further analysis of the ROV data
7.2.9 Verbal reports of task performance
7.2.9.1 Distinguishing contexts where there is no difference in sensor usage
7.2.9.2 High-level concepts in ship searching
7.2.9.3 Using information from a combination of sensors
7.2.9.4 Verbal reports of context structure
7.2.9.5 Conscious changes in strategy or tactics
7.2.9.6 Other points

7.3 Discussion
7.3.1 Main findings of this experiment
7.3.2 Justification of results in terms of other work
7.3.3 Problems and direct remedies
7.3.4 Other possible direct extensions to the study