An experimental evaluation of the impact of data display format on recall performance

ABSTRACT

Recall, while an important topic in the study of learning and memory, has received relatively little attention as a dependent variable in studies that investigate alternative formats for presenting information. This paper describes two experiments, performed back to back, that examined the relationship between data display format and recall performance across different task categories. The results of Experiment 1 were reaffirmed by Experiment 2 and collectively suggest that a graphical presentation enhances recall when the task possesses a spatial orientation while the recall of specific facts is indifferent to data display format.

REFERENCES

• 1: Anderson, R.J. Acquisition of cognitive skill, Psychological Review 89, 4 (1982), 369-406.
• 2: Benbasat, I., and Dexter, A.S. An experimental evaluation of graphical and color-enhanced information presentation, Management Science, 31, 11 (Nov. 1985), 1348-1364.
• 3: Cleveland, W.S., and McGill, R. Graphical perception: Theory, experiments and application to the development of graphical methods, Journal of American Statistical Association 79, 387 {Sept. 1984). 531-554.
• 4: DeSanctis, G. Computer graphics as decision aids: Directions for re.~earch, Decision Sciences 15, 4 (Apr. 1984), 463-487.
• 5: DeSanctis, G., and Jarvenpaa, S.L. An investigation of the "tables versus graphs" controversy in a learning environment. In Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Information Systems (Chicago 1985), Soc. Inf. Manage., 134-/44.
• 6: Gary W. Dickson , Gerardine DeSanctis , D. J. McBride, Understanding the effectiveness of computer graphics for decision support: a cumulative experimental approach, Communications of the ACM, v.29 n.1, p.40-47, Jan. 1986 [doi>10.1145/5465.5469]
• 7: Ebbinghaus, H. Memory. (H.A. Ruger and C.E. Bussenius, trans.}. Dover, New York, 1964. (Originally published in 1885).
• 8: Erdelyi, M.H.. and Kleinbard, J. Has Ebbinghaus decayed with time: The growth of recall (Hypermnesia) over days, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning and Memory 4, 4 (Apr. 1978), 275-289.
• 9: Fogarty, D.W., and Hoffman, T.R. Production and Inventory Management. South-Western, Pato Alto, Calif., 1983.
• 10: Fry, E. Graphical Literacy, Journal of Reading 24, 5 (May 1981), 389-392.
• 11: Glass, A.L., Holyoak, K.J., and Santa, J.L. Cognition. Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass., 1979.
• 12: Hayes-Roth, B., and Walker, C. Configural effects in human memory: The superiority of memory over external information sources as a basis for inference verification. Cognitive Science 3, 2 (Apr.-June 1979), 119-139.
• 13: Huck, S.W., Cormier, W.H., and Bounds, W.G., Jr. Reading Statistics and Research. Harper and Row, New York, 1974.
• 14: Iw,,s, B. Graphical user interfaces for business information systems. Mi'S Quarterly Special Issue 12, 16 (Dec. 1982), 15-47.
• 15: Lucas, H.C. An experimental investigation of the use of computerbased graphics in decision making. Management Science 27, 7 (Jul. 1981), 757-767.
• 16: Lucas, H.C., and Nielson, N.R. The impact of information presentation on learning and performance. Management Science 26, 10 (Oct. 1980}, 982-993.
• 17: Lusk, E.J., and Kersnick, M. The effect of cognitive style and report format on task performance: The MIS design consequences, Management Science 28, 8 (Aug. 1979), 787-798.
• 18: Mason, R.O., and Mitroff, I.I. A program for research :n management information systems. Management Science, 19, 5 (May 1973), 475-485.
• 19: Mintzberg, H. The Nature of Managerial Work. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1980.
• 20: Nunnally, J.C. Psychometric Theory. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1978.
• 21: Paivio, A. Imagery and Verbal Processes. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, N.J., 1979.
• 22: Remus, W. An empirical investigation of the impact of graphical and tabular data presentations of decision making, Management Science, 30, 5 (May 1984}, 533-542.
• 23: Scamell, R.W., Umanath. N.S., and Das, S.R. An assessment of the effectiveness of report graphics on recall ability. Working Paper No. 172, University of Houston, 1986.
• 24: Schutz, H.G. An evaluation of formats for graphical trend displays-- Experiment lI. Human Factors, 3, 2 (Feb. 1961), 99-107.
• 25: Tulving, E. Theoretical issues in free recall. In Verbal Behavior and General Behavior Theory, T.R. Dixon and D.L. Horton, Eds. Prentice- Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1968.
• 26: Washburne, J.N. An experimental study of various graphic, tabular and (textural} methods of presenting quantitative material. Journal of Educational Psy.chology 18, 6 (1927), 361-376.
• 27: Watson, C.J., and Driver, R.W. The influence of computer graphics on the recall of information. MIS Quarterly 7, 1 (Jan. ~.983), 45-53.
• 28: Weber, E.S. Cognitive process involved in solving information systems (IS) design problems. In Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Information Systems (Chicago, 1985), Soc. Inf. Manage., 305-312.
• 29: Weiss, D.J. Factor analysis and counseling research. In Methods and Analysis in Organizational Research, R.S. Bateman and G.R. Ferris, Eds. Reston, Reston, Va., 1984.
• 30: Zmud, R.W. An empirical investigation of the dimensionality of the concept of information, Decision Sciences 9, 2 (Feb. 1978}, 187-195.
• 31: Zmud, R.W., Blocker, E., and Moffie, R.P. The impact of color graphic report formats on decision performance and }earning. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Information Systems (Chicago, 1983), Soc. Inf. Manage.. 179-193.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS

General Terms:
Experimentation, Human Factors