Effects of map design characteristics on users’ search performance and cognitive load. An empirical study
| Pages | 667-679 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-10-2018-0202 |
| Published date | 05 August 2019 |
| Date | 05 August 2019 |
| Author | Hosam Al-Samarraie,Atef Eldenfria,Melissa Lee Price,Fahed Zaqout,Wan Mohamad Fauzy |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
Effects of map design
characteristics on users’search
performance and cognitive load
An empirical study
Hosam Al-Samarraie
School of Media and Performing Arts, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
Atef Eldenfria
Faculty of Information Technology, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya
Melissa Lee Price
Faculty of Theatre and Television, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Fahed Zaqout
School of Art and Sciences, American University of Ras Al Khaimah,
Ras al Khaimah, UAE, and
Wan Mohamad Fauzy
Department of Instructional Learning Technologies, Sultan Qaboos University,
Muscat, Oman
Abstract
Purpose –This paper aims to investigate the influence of map design characteristics on users’cognitive
load and searchperformance. Two design conditions (symbolicvs non-symbolic) were used to evaluate users’
ability to locatea place of interest.
Design/methodology/approach –A total of 19 students (10 male and 9 female, 20-23 years old)
participated in this study. The time required for subjects to find a place in the two conditions was used to
estimate their searching performance. An electroencephalogram (EEG) device was used to examine students’
cognitive load using event-related desynchronization percentages of alpha, beta and theta brainw averhythms.
Findings –The results showedthat subjects needed more time to find a place in the non-symboliccondition
than the symbolic condition. The EEG data,however, revealed that users experienced higher cognitive load
when searchingfor a place in the symbolic condition. The authors foundthat the design characteristics of the
map significantlyinfluenced users’brain activity, thus impactingtheir search performance.
Originality/value –Outcomes from this study can be used by cartographic designers and scholars to
understand how certain design characteristics can trigger cognitive activity to improve users’searching
experienceand efficiency.
Keywords Information visualization, Cognitive load, Information processing, Symbolic maps
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Visualizing representations of map information may vary from one application to another.
Adding one or more graphical attributes to the visual representation of map data is
particularly useful to individualsseeking to visualize and understand the physical structure
Map design
characteristics
667
Received11 October 2018
Revised14 February 2019
27May 2019
Accepted25 June 2019
TheElectronic Library
Vol.37 No. 4, 2019
pp. 667-679
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-10-2018-0202
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
Get this document and AI-powered insights with a free trial of vLex and Vincent AI
Get Started for FreeStart Your Free Trial of vLex and Vincent AI, Your Precision-Engineered Legal Assistant
-
Access comprehensive legal content with no limitations across vLex's unparalleled global legal database
-
Build stronger arguments with verified citations and CERT citator that tracks case history and precedential strength
-
Transform your legal research from hours to minutes with Vincent AI's intelligent search and analysis capabilities
-
Elevate your practice by focusing your expertise where it matters most while Vincent handles the heavy lifting
Start Your Free Trial of vLex and Vincent AI, Your Precision-Engineered Legal Assistant
-
Access comprehensive legal content with no limitations across vLex's unparalleled global legal database
-
Build stronger arguments with verified citations and CERT citator that tracks case history and precedential strength
-
Transform your legal research from hours to minutes with Vincent AI's intelligent search and analysis capabilities
-
Elevate your practice by focusing your expertise where it matters most while Vincent handles the heavy lifting
Start Your Free Trial of vLex and Vincent AI, Your Precision-Engineered Legal Assistant
-
Access comprehensive legal content with no limitations across vLex's unparalleled global legal database
-
Build stronger arguments with verified citations and CERT citator that tracks case history and precedential strength
-
Transform your legal research from hours to minutes with Vincent AI's intelligent search and analysis capabilities
-
Elevate your practice by focusing your expertise where it matters most while Vincent handles the heavy lifting
Start Your Free Trial of vLex and Vincent AI, Your Precision-Engineered Legal Assistant
-
Access comprehensive legal content with no limitations across vLex's unparalleled global legal database
-
Build stronger arguments with verified citations and CERT citator that tracks case history and precedential strength
-
Transform your legal research from hours to minutes with Vincent AI's intelligent search and analysis capabilities
-
Elevate your practice by focusing your expertise where it matters most while Vincent handles the heavy lifting
Start Your Free Trial of vLex and Vincent AI, Your Precision-Engineered Legal Assistant
-
Access comprehensive legal content with no limitations across vLex's unparalleled global legal database
-
Build stronger arguments with verified citations and CERT citator that tracks case history and precedential strength
-
Transform your legal research from hours to minutes with Vincent AI's intelligent search and analysis capabilities
-
Elevate your practice by focusing your expertise where it matters most while Vincent handles the heavy lifting
