Adapting systems to differences between individuals

Abstract

Adaptive systems should be able to accommodate the preferred interface styles of different users. An experiment was conducted in order to determine whether significant differences exist between individuals performing the same task, using different interfaces. Individual users' performances on five different interfaces to a computer database system, after the initial learning stage, were compared with their scores on various cognitive and personality tests. The results suggested that two interface styles are necessary for database systems in order for them to suit a range of users: an aided-navigation interface with a constrained dialogue for low spatial ability users, and a non-aided navigation interface with a flexible dialogue for high spatial ability users. Both interfaces should minimize the amount of verbal input necessary.