title: The role of number of tasks in determining the relevance of information.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to explore the value of considering the number of tasks that use a piece of information when calculating the relevance information has to an operator.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Whereas frequency and criticality of information are often identified as information attributes, the number of tasks that use the information is rarely considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  We calculated the relevance of pieces of information in air traffic control using criticality and frequency, and compared it to a formula that also considered the number of tasks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Including number of tasks resulted in information ranking that better accounted for aircraft relevant information, and better supported the information needs of air traffic controllers as determined by judgments of controllers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The attribute of number of tasks is valuable in calculating the relevance of information. Application: Interface designers should consider the number of tasks that use a particular piece of information when determining the placement of information within a display.
authors.forename: Francis T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Durso
authors.forename: Sadaf
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kazi
authors.forename: Cale M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Darling
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D007257:Information Theory; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis