Improving Interfaces for CGFs through Multidisciplinary Evaluations: A New, Broad Approach
Frank E. Ritter, Marios N. Avraamides · 2001
Typically, the design of cognitive models has not emphasized the role of interfaces for describing the model's behavior. Models that populate synthetic environments are particularly complex and need support in this area. Using subject-matter experts we evaluated the use of the Situation Awareness Panel (SAP) as a tool for inspecting the behavior and reasoning of Soar agents in a JSAF simulation. We gathered suggestions on how to improve future implementations of the SAP from experts in a variety of disciplines (e.g., military pilots, cognitive psychologists, an HCI specialist, a logistic specialist, and a software designer). We used their behavior and reports to develop a task analysis that can be used as a general guide for future designs of user interfaces for cognitive models in general and for the design of interfaces for models in synthetic environments in particular. We suggest this approach of having multiple types of experts review an interface as a general method for improving complex interfaces such as interfaces to cognitive models.