2019 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 9-24
The aim of this study is to investigate how the formation of mental models can contribute to user interface design. The differences in the formation of mental models among participants with high and low comprehension about the function of a graphical user interface (GUI)-based system was investigated. The participants were divided into two groups based on their measured comprehension regarding the GUI’s functionality. The groups could have a different level of functional model formation, which is one aspect of mental models. The verbal protocols obtained during the GUI tasks of both groups were summarized by using nine mental model elements, and the processes of mental model formation were analyzed using the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The results reveal differences among participants with different levels of mental models. Moreover, the transition probabilities between each mental model element were compared for both groups to determine differences in their processes. In particular, concept formation based on an understanding of the situation might be an important factor for enhancing the formation of mental models. Moreover, the users that could form mental models appeared to have better planning ability. These findings will be useful for the formation of ergonomic GUI design guidelines.
