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Effects of Subjective Workload Measurement During a Workload Transition on Task Performance

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2014, Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, Psychology, General.
Vigilance research often includes measuring the observer’s subjective workload. The most commonly used NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), requires several minutes to administer; typically at the end of an experiment. A more recently developed workload measure, the Simplified Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (S-SWAT), may provide researchers with further insights into perceived workload throughout a vigilance task. To date, no studies have measured workload using the S-SWAT in a vigilance experiment, specifically in the area of workload transitions. To date, only one study has examined perceived workload during a vigilance transition task; this study used the NASA-TLX. The goal of the present research was to explore the usefulness of the S-SWAT, determine how S-SWAT ratings compare to NASA-TLX ratings, and identify any effects on performance that the S-SWAT might create. Results showed that the S-SWAT had no impact on performance; this supports the potential of the S-SWAT as an instrument for better understanding the impact of task changes on perceived workload during a vigil. The S-SWAT, which is administered multiple times over the course of a vigil, provides more detail and helps identify trends of perceived workload, over time, compared to a single collection with the NASA-TLX. However, it is important to note that workload ratings on the NASA-TLX were higher when the S-SWAT was used in higher workload condition as compared to the ratings from when it was used in a low workload condition or when a control group reported workload only at the end of the vigil. While further research is needed to better understand the impact that the S-SWAT has on perceived workload, this study provides some evidence that the S-SWAT may be a useful measure throughout a vigilance task for gaining more insight into the workload experienced by observers.
Susan Davis (Advisor)
F. Thomas Eggemeier (Committee Member)
William Moroney (Committee Member)
98 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bowers, D. (2014). Effects of Subjective Workload Measurement During a Workload Transition on Task Performance [Master's thesis, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1405001490

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bowers, Drew. Effects of Subjective Workload Measurement During a Workload Transition on Task Performance. 2014. University of Dayton, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1405001490.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bowers, Drew. "Effects of Subjective Workload Measurement During a Workload Transition on Task Performance." Master's thesis, University of Dayton, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1405001490

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)