title: The relevance of error analysis in graphical symbols evaluation.
abstract: In an increasing number of modern tools and devices, small graphical symbols appear simultaneously in sets as parts of the human-machine interfaces. The presence of each symbol can influence the other's recognizability and correct association to its intended referents. Thus, aside from correct associations, it is equally important to perform certain error analysis of the wrong answers, misses, confusions, and even lack of answers. This research aimed to show how such error analyses could be valuable in evaluating graphical symbols especially across potentially different user groups. The study tested 3 sets of icons representing 7 videophone functions. The methods involved parameters such as hits, confusions, missing values, and misses. The association tests showed similar hit rates of most symbols across the majority of the participant groups. However, exploring the error patterns helped detect differences in the graphical symbols' performances between participant groups, which otherwise seemed to have similar levels of recognition. These are very valuable not only in determining the symbols to be retained, replaced or re-designed, but also in formulating instructions and other aids in learning to use new products faster and more satisfactorily.
authors.affiliation: Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. Paul.Piamonte@arb.luth.se
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Piamonte
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D004616:Emblems and Insignia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014741:Video Recording