Effects Of Task Characteristics Research Articles

Effects of task characteristics and individual traits on the aftereffects of event-based prospective memory and its mechanism

Effects of task characteristics and individual traits on the aftereffects of event-based prospective memory and its mechanism

Imagining future digital assistants at work: A study of task management needs

Digital Assistants (DAs) can support workers in the workplace and beyond. However, target user needs are not fully understood, and the functions that workers would ideally want a DA to support require further study. A richer understanding of worker needs could help inform the design of future DAs. We investigate user needs of future workplace DAs using data from a user study of 40 workers over a four-week period. Our qualitative analysis confirms existing research and generates new insight on the role of DAs in managing people’s time, tasks, and information. Placing these insights in relation to quantitative analysis of self-reported task data, we highlight how different occupation roles require DAs to take varied approaches to these domains and the effect of task characteristics on the imagined features. Our findings have implications for the design of future DAs in work settings and we offer some recommendations for reduction to practice.

Research on Factors Influencing Smart Library Users’ Use Intention in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

The arrival of the era of artificial intelligence has promoted the development of smart libraries and endowed them with new features such as autonomy, autonomous learning, context perception, and multi-function. Analyzing how these new features affect users’ behavior is of great significance to the application of artificial intelligence and the optimization of services. Based on the TTF model, the four dimensions of product intelligence (autonomy, adaptability, reactivity, and multifunctionality) are introduced to represent the technology characteristics, and the research model is constructed. And the method of SEM is used to conduct empirical analysis. The results show that technology characteristics and individual characteristics are the main factors affecting the task-technology fit (TTF), while the effect of task characteristics on TTF is not significant. Among them, the impact of technology characteristics is greater than the individual characteristics. The relative importance of the four dimensions of technology characteristics is “Autonomy >Multifunctionality, Reactivity> Adaptability”. The TTF significantly positively affects users’ intention to use smart libraries. Therefore, the suggestions on optimizing smart services are put forward.

Determinants of creative thinking: the effect of task characteristics in solving remote associate test problems

Creative problem solving is often conceptualised as a process of search. However, little is known about the difficulties of carrying out this search process. We conducted three studies examining how strongly different task characteristics impact creative problem-solving performance. In Study 1, regression analyses on normative data of Remote Associates Test (RAT) problems identified key task characteristics that best predict performance. We replicated these findings in a sample that was more diverse with respect to age and education background and proposed that two key factors may interact in predicting RAT problem difficulty (Study 2). We then confirmed this prediction in a pre-registered study (Study 3). Our results suggest that (a) the semantic distance between the cues and the answer and (b) the number of strong but irrelevant associates are important determinants of RAT problem difficulty, and that their influence is interdependent. Implications for theories and for studies aimed at improving creative problem-solving performance are discussed.

업무특성이 조직 내 대인 매체 선택에 미치는 영향: 구성원의 매체 인식을 중심으로

본 논문은 조직영역에서 많은 연구가 이루어지지 못했던 업무특성과 조직 내 대인 매체 간의 관련성을 검증하며 이를 구성원들의 대인 매체들에 대한 인식을 중심으로 살펴보고자 하였다. 분석결과 다음과 같은 사실을 알 수 있었다. 첫째, 조직 내 구성원이 자주 선택하는 절대적 매체 1순위는 면대면이었고 다음으로 2순위 매체는 이메일, 3순위 매체는 유선전화 순서로나타났는데 이는 곧 다양한 매체환경에서도 조직에서는 면대면과 이메일 등 전통적인 매체들이 카카오톡 등 새로운 기술매체들보다 아직까지 선호도 우위에 있다는 결과를 보여주었다. 둘째, 본 연구의 가장 중요한 관심 중 하나였던 업무특성과 매체 인식 간의 상관분석에서는 유용성 요인과 용이성 요인이 가장 높은 상관관계를 보였다. 셋째, 업무 상호의존성은 업무모호성과 마찬가지로 용이성 요인과 상대적으로 높은 상관관계를 나타내었고 다음이 매체 풍요도, 사회적 실재감과 유용성 순으로 큰 차이는 보이지 않았다. 이는 각각의 충돌의 지점, 즉 구성원들에게 업무가 상호의존적일 때 매체풍요도와 용이성 요인이 충돌하고 사회적 실재감은 유용성 요인과 충돌하며 매체 인식과 선택을 결정하게 된다. 넷째, 조직에서 구성원들은 업무 모호성이 높으면 면대면 만남을 선호하고 업무 모호성이 낮다면 이메일 매체의 사용빈도가 증가하였다.

The Effects of Context-based Problem-solving Tasks on Students’ Interest and Metacognitive Experiences

AbstractPrior knowledge, motivational factors, and metacognition have been long considered basic elements for successful problem-solving process. However, the interplay of these variables with context-based task characteristics has rarely been explored in research. The present study aimed at investigating how context-based task characteristics influence these three elements, and further expands to explore potential differentiated effects across physics’ topics. A multivariate analysis of covariance was conducted with 232 participants from high-track schools in Germany to investigate the effects of task characteristics and task topic with regard to their motivational and metacognitive variables. Overall results indicated that students’ situational interest and estimate of solution correctness decrease through time as a result from their interaction with the tasks characteristics. Furthermore, between-subject factor analyses revealed important differences across the task topics of mechanics and thermodynamics. Finally, the covariate of prior knowledge was positively significant across all analyses. The findings demonstrate the importance of appropriate design of context-based tasks to positively influence students’ motivation and metacognitive processing. Implications of the results, as well as further lines of research are discussed.

The empirical law of large numbers and the hospital problem: systematic investigation of the impact of multiple task and person characteristics

The empirical law of large numbers is an important content in secondary school mathematics. Tasks used to analyze students’ understanding of this law are often based on the hospital problem, but vary in various features, leading to mixed and conflicting empirical results. To identify task features that support students when approaching this type of task, we systematically investigated the impact of multiple task and person characteristics on the accuracy of students’ responses in a cross-sectional study with N = 242 mathematics teacher education students. Students answered several variants of the hospital problem in different sequences. Our assumption was that differences in performance between tasks could be traced back to the salience of relevant task features and the sequence of the tasks. Results of GLMM analyses of our data support that in particular larger deviations from the expected relative frequency and a bigger ratio between the large and small sample size increase solution rates. Moreover, a verbal presentation of a 100% frequency in the case of maximal deviation increased solution rates. A within-subject analysis revealed that effects of task characteristics were more pronounced for the first task and weakened substantially for subsequent tasks. Finally, we found that 100% frequency tasks have a positive cueing effect, supporting students to solve subsequent tasks, even if the relevant features are less salient there. These tasks thus seem to be a promising starting point to connect the empirical law of large numbers with students’ prior intuitions.

The Effects of Task Characteristics on the Continuous Usage of Mobile Applications

While many studies have focused on mobile apps acceptance and the moderating effects of individual factors, little is known about the effects of different users' objectives, i.e. task characteristics in this article, on users' behavioral model. The main purpose of this article was to explore the effects of utilitarian/hedonic task characteristics on continuous usage of mobile apps. This study employed multi-group analysis to explore the effects of utilitarian/hedonic tasks. The results validated the different effects of utilitarian/hedonic tasks. A strategy that focuses not just on reinforcing and enhancing the determinants of users' continuous usage intention but also on complementary aspects that cater to users' motivations, is essential. The representative universal policy that treats everyone as being the same have to be replaced by a group alignment strategy.

공공부문 성과보상의 효과성에 관한 연구 : 성과보상이 직무몰입에 미치는 영향과 업무특성의 조절효과를 중심으로

공공부문 성과보상의 효과성에 관한 연구 : 성과보상이 직무몰입에 미치는 영향과 업무특성의 조절효과를 중심으로

The effect of task characteristics on the choice to lean, upper body postures and joint loading during simulated automotive manufacturing tasks with one-handed, sub-maximal exertions

The effect of task characteristics on the choice to lean, upper body postures and joint loading during simulated automotive manufacturing tasks with one-handed, sub-maximal exertions

The effect of task characteristics on the choice to lean, upper body postures and joint loading during simulated automotive manufacturing tasks with one-handed, sub-maximal exertions

The purpose of this study was to investigate the preferred leaning postures, while giving participants the choice to lean when completing tasks with constrained reaches. Twenty female participants completed a variety of different exertions with and without a leaning surface available. The frequency of choice to lean changed with task hand location. The long reaching task hand locations resulted in the most frequent choice to lean, and this decreased trunk and task arm shoulder loading, while allowing the participant to get closer to the task. These findings will be of use to industry in validating future leaning posture prediction software to help guide leaning posture estimates during proactive risk assessments.

Elementary English speaking assessment and tasks: Effects of task characteristics and performance conditions on speaking performance

In terms of English learning, tasks can be used not only as learning activities but also as assessment tools in that they encourage authentic use of English while promoting active interaction in concrete communicative situations. Especially, using tasks as assessment tools for speaking performance, it is possible to directly assess learners’ ability to use English. However, the assessment results may be affected by task factors such as task characteristics and conditions. Therefore, in order to utilize tasks as assessment tools, it is necessary to grasp the effects of task factors on speaking performance. From this point of view, this study investigates how task characteristics and conditions affect speaking performance, and provides some pedagogical implications for elementary English speaking assessment. Previous studies showed that task characteristics and conditions consistently influenced speaking performance in terms of fluency, accuracy, and complexity. Thus, these results are expected to provide important information for designing tasks to assess speaking performance in elementary English learning.

The Effects of Performance Management Upon the Organizational Commitment in Public Organizations: Focusing on the Moderating Effects of Task Characteristics

The Effects of Performance Management Upon the Organizational Commitment in Public Organizations: Focusing on the Moderating Effects of Task Characteristics

Effects of task characteristics on unimanual and bimanual movement times

Fitts' law cannot be used to predict movement times (MTs) of bimanual tasks since no empirical relationships associating task difficulty and bimanual MT have been demonstrated yet. Development of a ‘bimanual task difficulty index’ has been challenged by the complex patterns of coordination involved in simultaneously performing two tasks, one with each hand, under a control system with limited visual and attentional resources. To address this fundamental issue in human motor performance, bimanual object transfers with the left and right hands to targets of various precision requirements and separated by different distances were studied in six healthy subjects. Visual resource allocation during task performance was used to identify ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ hand movements in bimanual tasks. While the primary movement was similar to a unimanual movement, the secondary MT varied with its own, as well as the contralateral hand's task constraints. These results, which were stable and consistent across six subjects, provide preliminary evidence that visual behaviour, indicating closed-loop control, can be used to systematically derive bimanual MTs. Practitioner summary: A simple extension of Fitts' law cannot be used to predict movement times (MTs) of bimanual tasks since there is no consensus on the definition of a ‘bimanual task difficulty index’ in the literature. In this paper, we have approached this problem by using visual resource allocation patterns to systematically derive bimanual MTs.

The Effect of Task Characteristics on IELTS Reading Performance

One of the skills that involve thinking processes is reading. Reading is a skill which allows students to become familiar with other people’s ideas; compare and contrast different ideas; examine and evaluate arguments, interpretations, beliefs, or theories; make inferences, predictions, or interpretations; and explore implications and consequences. In essence, reading is a skill that compels students to think critically. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the effects of task characteristics on the learners’ performance in the reading section of IELTS. To accomplish the purpose of the research, a sample of 50 male and female students participated in this study. In order to ensure the homogeneity of the participants and determine the participants’ reading proficiency level, a reading part of the IELTS test was conducted at the outset of the study. Based upon the results, 30 participants were selected to be included within this study. Next, five IELTS tests were given to the participants. The subsequent data was then analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and the Sheffe test. Data revealed that participants performed differently on the IELTS test due to different task types given as a treatment. The results suggest that task characteristics have a significant effect on IELTS reading test performance.

The impact of knowledge sharing on firm performance: an empirical investigation of information technology firms

In the knowledge run economy, firm’s ability to implement knowledge-based activities becomes increasingly vital for the sustenance of competitive advantage. To foster this process, the role of knowledge sharing is very crucial. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of task characteristics along with mutual trust in the knowledge sharing process. The data has been collected from 239 project managers working into the knowledge intensive service economy. The level of mediation of knowledge sharing on team performance and finally firm performance has been examined along with the moderating effect of trust. Result shows that knowledge sharing mediates the effect of task characteristics on firm performance. The key implication of the study is that service organisations should design service roles and allot resources appropriately for better knowledge sharing and improved firm performance.

The Joint Effect of Task Characteristics and Extraversion on The Performance, Workload, and Stress of Signal Detection

The present study tests an extension of the Dynamic Adaptability Theory of Stress (Hancock & Warm, 1989) that incorporated individual differences into the model (Szalma, 2008). The purpose was to investigate how the task characteristics of information rate (event rate) and information structure (number of displays to be monitored) interact with participant personality (extraversion) to affect the performance, workload, and stress associated with a cognitive vigilance task. As expected, extraversion moderated the relationship of task characteristics to performance, global workload, distress, and task engagement, although the relationship of extraversion to the worry dimensions of stress was not significant.

The Effects of Task Characteristics on L2 Learners’ Production of Complex, Accurate, and Fluent Oral Language

One recent fruitful development in the area of second language (L2) acquisition has been Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). Consequently, L2 researchers have paid particular attention to the role that the employment of tasks plays in the development of interlanguage competence. Of particular interest have been the factors that increase the difficulty with which L2 learners perform and process pedagogical tasks. The present paper is an attempt to present a review of factors that have been found to affect learners’ task performance, along with studies that have provided empirical evidence as to how these factors increase the cognitive demands of learners’ task performance. Understanding the functioning of these task performance factors are of paramount importance to language teachers who are to follow TBLT principles since such understanding can provide them with sequencing criteria that can guide the order in which they employ tasks in their everyday teaching efforts.

Task‐Based Language Learning: A Review of Issues

Theoretically motivated, empirical research into task‐based language learning has been prompted by proposals for task‐based language teaching. In this review I describe early and more recent proposals for how task‐based learning can stimulate acquisition processes and the theoretical rationales that have guided research into them. I also describe taxonomies of task characteristics that have been proposed and claims made about the effects of task characteristics on interaction, attention to input, and speech production. I then relate the issues raised to findings described in the five empirical studies in this issue concerning the effects of pedagogic task design on the accuracy, fluency, and complexity of learner language; the influence of individual differences in cognitive and motivational variables on task performance; the extent to which tasks, and teacher interventions, promote the quantity and quality of interaction that facilitate L2 learning; and the generalizability of task‐based learning research in laboratory contexts to instructed classroom settings.

The Joint Effect of Task Characteristics and Neuroticism on the Performance, Workload, and Stress of Signal Detection

The present study tests an extension of the Maximal Adaptability Model of Stress (Hancock & Warm, 1989) that incorporated individual differences into the model (Szalma, 2008). The purpose was to investigate how the task characteristics of information rate (event rate) and information uncertainty (number of displays to be monitored) interact with participant personality (Neuroticism) to affect the performance, workload, and stress associated with a cognitive vigilance task. Results supported claim by Szalma (2008) that the maximal adaptability model should be modified to include person characteristics.