Cognitive User Model Research Articles

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Research on information construction of university management system app based on cognitive model

Based on the results of interviews conducted with university students in a certain university in Yunnan Province, this study identifies the problems of excessive information navigation, complex interface layout, and difficulty in locating the school system within the university management system APP. From the perspective of information architecture, this study designs a cognitive model that is suitable for the university management system APP of a certain university in Yunnan Province. By conducting tracking surveys and interviews with students from different majors, the study utilizes the affinity diagram method to construct a cognitive model for student users, which is further categorized by involving 10 participants. The data obtained after categorization is analyzed using hierarchical cluster analysis, and the information construction of the university management system APP is restructured accordingly. Through experiments, the characteristics and existing problems of the informationization construction of the university management system APP are determined, and the navigation label information of the management system is improved. The cognitive model of the university management system APP is reconstructed, resulting in the development of navigation names and classification methods for information construction that align with the cognitive models of student users. The research findings provide a basis and reference for other university management system APPs.

Automatic Error Model (AEM) for User Interface Design: A new approach to Include Errors and Error Corrections in a Cognitive User Model

Replacing users with models that simulate users’ behaviors has been a long-standing vision in interface design. Cognitive models can simulate users’ cognitive processes and behaviors, but they cannot fully interact with user interfaces and simulate all behaviors. VisiTor (Vision+Motor) is a tool that provides cognitive models with methods to interact with the interface that users interact with. However, currently, cognitive models can only simulate experts and error-free users. Previous attempts at using cognitive models were inadequate due to hard-coded errors, which led to predictions that were not applicable to all users and tasks. Therefore, a general approach is required to include error generations and error corrections in cognitive models. VisiTor has been extended to generate and correct errors, leading to the development of an Automatic Error Cognitive Model that simulates more complete users’ behaviors in an Excel spreadsheet. This model helps to get closer to developing complete cognitive models that can replace users.

A user model to directly compare two unmodified interfaces: a study of including errors and error corrections in a cognitive user model

Abstract User models that can directly use and learn how to do tasks with unmodified interfaces would be helpful in system design to compare task knowledge and times between interfaces. Including user errors can be helpful because users will always make mistakes and generate errors. We compare three user models: an existing validated model that simulates users’ behavior in the Dismal spreadsheet in Emacs, a newly developed model that interacts with an Excel spreadsheet, and a new model that generates and fixes user errors. These models are implemented using a set of simulated eyes and hands extensions. All the models completed a 14-step task without modifying the system that participants used. These models predict that the task in Excel is approximately 20% faster than in Dismal, including suggesting why, where, and how much Excel is a better design. The Excel model predictions were compared to newly collected human data (N = 23). The model’s predictions of subtask times correlate well with the human data (r2 = .71). We also present a preliminary model of human error and correction based on user keypress errors, including 25 slips. The predictions to data comparison suggest that this interactive model that includes errors moves us closer to having a complete user model that can directly test interface design by predicting human behavior and performing the task on the same interface as users. The errors from the model’s hands also allow further exploration of error detection, error correction, and different knowledge types in user models.

Обзор подходов и уточнение основных понятий в области моделирования пользователей

This paper is devoted to reviewing the most common basic approaches to creating user models in information systems. It also discusses the basic concepts used in user modeling, such as the mental user model and the cognitive user model. The paper is of a staged nature and is not intended to give a comprehensive overview of user modeling approaches and technologies. The main purpose is clarification of the basic concepts, its mutual correlation, as well as their adaptation and development of working definitions, corresponding to the specifics of the current research work. The main research methods are comparative analysis and review of scientific sources. The result is a brief overview of approaches to modeling users of information systems, as well as working definitions of basic concepts that will be used in subsequent research work.

A New Single-Display Intelligent Adaptive Interface for Controlling a Group of UAVs

The increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones in different civil and military operations has attracted attention of many researchers and science communities. One of the most notable challenges in this field is supervising and controlling a group or a team of UAVs by a single user. Thereupon, we proposed a new intelligent adaptive interface (IAI) to overcome to this challenge. Our IAI not only is empowered by comprehensive IAI architecture but also has some notable features like: presenting single-display user interface for controlling UAV team, leveraging user cognitive model to deliver right information at the right time, supporting the user by system behavior explanation, guiding and helping the user to choose right decisions. Finally, we examined the IAI with contributing eleven volunteers and in three different scenarios. Obtained results have shown the power of the proposed IAI to reduce workload and to increase user's situation awareness level and as a result to promote mission completion percentage.

An HCI paradigm fusing flexible object selection and AOM-based animation

The use of three-dimensional (3D) gesture input devices is important and necessary in 3D systems, but such devices face considerable challenges posed by the high dimensionality of dexterous hand motion. The objective of this study is to achieve real-time interaction in object selection and direct manipulation in 3D application systems by capturing and visualizing the interaction intentions and probing the cognitive behavior models of users. An interactive operation procedure is divided into three stages: object selection, manipulation and reset. Trajectory scene interaction (TSI) is proposed for object selection starting from a fixed position called a forward point (FP). The manipulations exerted on the selected object include grasping and translation. After these manipulations, the gesture is reset to the FP. This work offers four novel contributions. First, flexible object selection and atomic operation model (AOM)-based animations are fused to form a uniform, real-time human-computer interaction (HCI) paradigm. Second, a cognitive behavior model is proposed for recognizing and reacting to hand gestures as captured by a monocular camera. Third, an approach to capturing, expressing, and probing a user's interaction intention is presented. Fourth, a 3D real-time gesture input interface is achieved. The use of the proposed HCI interface, which offers fast speed, satisfactory accuracy and a responsive user experience, is demonstrated in virtual assembly, a game of chess, dialing a cell phone number and menu operation.

Enhancing Web Navigation Appropriateness by Correlating Actual and Predictable Practice

a new method to identify navigation- related Web usability problems based on correlating Actual and Predictable usage patterns. The actual usage patterns can be extracted from Web server logs routinely recorded for operational websites by first processing the log data to identify users, user sessions, and user task-oriented transactions, and then applying an usage mining algorithm to discover patterns among actual usage paths. The anticipated usage, including information about both the path and time required for user-oriented tasks, is captured by our ideal user interactive path models constructed by cognitive ex- perts based on their cognition of user behavior. The comparison is performed via the mechanism of test oracle for checking results and identifying user navigation difficulties. The deviation data produced from this comparison can help us discover usability issues and suggest corrective actions to improve usability. A software tool was developed to automate a significant part of the activities involved. With an experiment on a small service-oriented website, we identified usability problems, which were cross-validated by do- main experts, and quantified usability improvement by the higher task success rate and lower time and effort for given tasks after suggested corrections were implemented. Index Terms—Cognitive user model, sessionization, software tool, test oracle, usability, usage pattern, Web server log.

Predicting User Performance and Learning in Human--Computer Interaction with the Herbal Compiler

We report a way to build a series of GOMS-like cognitive user models representing a range of performance at different stages of learning. We use a spreadsheet task across multiple sessions as an example task; it takes about 20--30 min. to perform. The models were created in ACT-R using a compiler. The novice model has 29 rules and 1,152 declarative memory task elements (chunks)—it learns to create procedural knowledge to perform the task. The expert model has 617 rules and 614 task chunks (that it does not use) and 538 command string chunks—it gets slightly faster through limited declarative learning of the command strings and some further production compilation; there are a range of intermediate models. These models were tested against aggregate and individual human learning data, confirming the models’ predictions. This work suggests that user models can be created that learn like users while doing the task.

Implication of Cognitive Style in Designing Computer‐Based Procedure Interface

AbstractDifferent people have different models of mental perception, which form the bases of human reactions. The design of human‐computer interfaces should consider these differences in the cognitive models of users to achieve maximum benefits. The Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an accepted tool for measuring four dimensions of an individual's cognitive model. This research investigated the effects of two interface designs based on the characteristics of the Sensing/iNtuitive (S/N) and Thinking/Feeling (T/F) categories. These interfaces were designed for the visual information displays of computer‐based procedures at a nuclear power plant. Because of the nature of this industry, quicker reaction times are required and fewer mistakes are tolerated. A group of subjects were selected, and the subjects were assigned to either the ST or NT group before the experiment. The results, when compared with earlier statistics for a single design for all users, indicate that reaction times were reduced in some critical situations and the number of mistakes was reduced. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Model-based evaluation of expert cell phone menu interaction

We describe concepts to support the analysis of cell phone menu hierarchies, based on cognitive models of users and easy-to-use optimization techniques. We present an empirical study of user performance on five simple tasks of menu traversal on an example cell phone. Two of the models applied to these tasks, based on GOMS and ACT-R, give good predictions of behavior. We use the empirically supported models to create an effective evaluation and improvement process for menu hierarchies. Our work makes three main contributions: a novel and timely study of a new, very common HCI task; new versions of existing models for accurately predicting performance; and a search procedure to generate menu hierarchies that reduce traversal time, in simulation studies, by about a third.

Decision and stress: cognition and e-accessibility in the information workplace

Cognitive abilities and disabilities are increasingly important in today’s information-based workplace, particularly in relation to the accessibility of advanced information society technologies. As this paper discusses, new technologies can create problems for human decision making, stress levels, general cognition and e-accessibility. Yet it is not easy to identify possible new e-accessibility solutions to these problems. This is where theories of cognitive aspects of e-accessibility could be useful to generate solutions to these problems of HCI in general and of accessibility in particular. The purpose of this paper is to report a new generative theory (called Simplex 2), provide validating evidence for it from two meta-analyses and demonstrate a proof of concept through the application of Simplex to the solution of HCI problems. Two qualitative meta-analyses are reported for two different samples (N1 = 90 and N2 = 100) of relevant and contemporary conference papers. Whilst a few more concepts were identified, only nine cognitive concepts emerged from both analyses, validating the predictions of Simplex, which is also used for cognitive user modeling. Given the sample sizes and the successful replication, it is clear that these nine factors feature prominently in current research and practice in universal access and inclusive design. Further support for the value of this theory is found in a consideration of the requirements of older adult users and from studies of cognitive overload and augmentation. Uses of Simplex include the evaluation of existing systems, assessment of user requirements, system development in combination with models of task, context of use and technology platform and through the concepts of cognitive augmentation and overload to identify future opportunities for new, accessible, cognitive solutions. A proof of concept of Simplex is demonstrated by the treatment of HCI accessibility problems and as a generative theory for the development of new solutions.

Personal assistant agents for collaborative design environments

Intelligent software agents have been recognized as a promising approach for the development of collaborative engineering environments. This paper presents our recent work on developing personal assistant agents to support users working within collaborative design environments (CDE). It describes a cognitive user model as a composition of the user's interest and behavior models. An intelligent assistance architecture is proposed to integrate these models with other environment models as well as inference, knowledge update and collaboration components. All these models and components collectively enable personal assistant agents to effectively work with the corresponding users to achieve their goals in a collaborative environment. The proposed user model is implemented in a coordinated, intelligent, rational agent (CIR-Agent) model on a FIPA (Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents)-compliant platform. Two case studies have been carried out to demonstrate the proposed agent-based intelligent assistance approach.

Integration of task networks and cognitive user models using coloured Petri nets and its application to job design for safety and productivity

Changes of task demands due to unforeseen events and technological changes can cause variations in job design such as modifications to job procedures and task allocation. Failure to adapt to job design variations can lead to human errors that may have severe consequences for system safety. Existing techniques for task modelling cannot adequately model how task networks can be adapted to changing work conditions and task demands. Therefore, there is a need to integrate task networks with cognitive user models that indicate how operators process information, make decisions, or cope with suspended tasks and errors. The work described here presents a tool for integrating task and cognitive models using coloured Petri nets. The cognitive user model comprises two modules of attention management (selective and divided attention), a module of memory management of suspended tasks and a module of work organization. Performance Shaping Factors (e.g., workload, fatigue and mental-tracking load) are calculated at any point in time to take into account the context of work (e.g., competing activities, errors and suspended tasks). Different types of human error can be modelled for rule-based behaviours required in proceduralized work environments. Simulation analysis and formal analysis techniques can be applied to process control tasks to verify job procedures, workload management strategies and task allocation schemes in response to technological changes and unfamiliar events.

Modeling Elementary Cognitive Abilities for Adaptive Hypermedia Presentation

The adaptation of hypermedia can be carried out at three levels, namely the content, navigation and presentation level. The presentation level is the least studied of the three, apparently because it refers to user properties that are not easy to model. In this paper, we present a new approach to modeling cognitive abilities that relies on basic mental functionalities. We describe the Cognitive User Modeling for Adaptive Presentation of Hyper-Documents (CUMAPH) environment, which mainly provides an authoring tool and an adaptation engine. The aim of this environment is to adapt a hyper-document presentation by selecting the elements that best fit the user cognitive profile. Its architecture is based on four main components: a cognitive user model, a hyper-document builder, an adaptation engine and a generic style sheet. To validate our approach, we designed an innovative protocol and conducted an experimental study involving 39 students. The first results show that an adaptive presentation can significantly increase the efficiency of hypermedia presentations.

Rational Analyses of Information Foraging on the Web

This article describes rational analyses and cognitive models of Web users developed within information foraging theory. This is done by following the rational analysis methodology of (a) characterizing the problems posed by the environment, (b) developing rational analyses of behavioral solutions to those problems, and (c) developing cognitive models that approach the realization of those solutions. Navigation choice is modeled as a random utility model that uses spreading activation mechanisms that link proximal cues (information scent) that occur in Web browsers to internal user goals. Web-site leaving is modeled as an ongoing assessment by the Web user of the expected benefits of continuing at a Web site as opposed to going elsewhere. These cost-benefit assessments are also based on spreading activation models of information scent. Evaluations include a computational model of Web user behavior called Scent-Based Navigation and Information Foraging in the ACT Architecture, and the Law of Surfing, which characterizes the empirical distribution of the length of paths of visitors at a Web site.

Capturing User Intent for Information Retrieval

Gathering information and making decisions based on retrieved information are the important tasks that every intelligence analyst is doing. User modeling techniques have been exploited to help analysts to search for information effectively. To justify the effects of any user modeling technique on helping analysts retrieve quality documents relevant to their tasks, we need to have a comprehensive evaluation method, which assesses the improvement of retrieval performance and user performance. In this paper, we describe our evaluation of a cognitive user model for information retrieval with regards to retrieval performance. Our user model captures user intent dynamically by analyzing behavioral information from retrieved relevant documents for improving the retrieval performance and user's performance. In this evaluation, we assess the user model's short-term effects on a single query, and the user model's long-term effects on the whole search session. We compare our approach with the best traditional approach for relevance feedback in information retrieval, the Ide dec-hi, which is the approach of modifying queries using term frequency from relevant/non-relevant documents. We use the oldest collection of information retrieval on aerodynamics called CRANFIELD. The results of this evaluation show that by exploring user intent, we achieve competitive performance in the feedback run compared to Ide dec-hi. At the same time, our user model approach offers the advantages of retrieving more quality documents at the initial run compared to the term frequency inverted document frequency (TFIDF) approach. Our results have shown that our user modeling approach can be used to improve efficiency, learnability and interactivity of an information retrieval system.

Reasoning on gestural interfaces through syndetic modelling

Recent advances in user interface development have been mainly driven by technical innovation, based either on new interaction devices and paradigms, or on algorithms for achieving realistic audio/visual effects [Connor92] [Robertson91a] [Robertson91b] [Berners92]. In such a rich environment, the user potentially interacts with the computer by addressing concurrently different modalities. While the technology driven approach has made possible the implementation of systems in specific application areas, it largely misses an undelying theory. This makes it difficult to assess whether this technology will be effective for users with the consequence that cognitive ergonomics is becoming an urgent requirement for the design of new interactive systems. Attention has been paid to the psychology of terminal users from the very beginning of human-computer interface research [Martin73]. However, existing established design techniques do not readily accomodate issues such as concurrency and parallelism, or the potential for the interaction with multiple interface techniques [Coutaz93].Recently, works have taken place investigating models and techniques for the analysis and design of interactionally rich systems from a variety of disciplinary perspectives as it can be found in the DSV-IS book series edited by [Paterno94] and [Bastide95]. Formal methods have been one of a number of approaches; others include cognitive user models, design space representations, and software architecture models. Applications for formal methods are well known, see for example [Bowen95], and [Gaudel94]. However, none of the cited applications use formal methods to examine the user interface. One reason is that the factors that influence the design of interactive systems depend mostly on psychological and social properties of cognition and work, rather than on abstract mathematical models of programming semantics. For this reason, claims made through formal methods about the properties of interactive systems must be grounded in some psychological or social theory.This paper builds on previous works carried within the ESPRIT Amodeus project and shows how a new approach to human-computer interaction, called syndetic modeling, can be used to gain insight into user-oriented properties of interactive systems. The word syndesis comes from the ancient greek and means conjunction. It is used to emphasize the key point of this approach: user and system models are described within a common framework that enables one to reason about how cognitive resources are mapped onto the functionality of the system.

THE PROFESSION'S MODELS OF INFORMATION: A COGNITIVE LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS

This study establishes three predominant cognitive models of information and the information transfer process manifest in the literature of library and information science, based on a linguistic analysis of phrases incorporating the word ‘information’ from a random sample of abstracts in the LISA database. The direct communication (DC) and indirect communication (IC) models (drawn from Reddy's frameworks of metalinguistic usage) adopt the perspective of the information system; the information‐seeking (IS) model takes the viewpoint of the information user. Two disturbing findings are presented: 1. core elements of the DC and IC models are more weakly supported by the data than are most of the peripheral elements; and 2. even though the IS model presents the information user's perspective, the data emphasise the role of the information system. These findings suggest respectively that the field lacks a coherent model of information transfer per se and that our model of information retrieval is mechanistic, oblivious to the cognitive models of end users.

Knowledge organization in an information retrieval task

One characteristic that may affect the way users interact with information systems is the way they organize their knowledge of the topic to be searched. An experiment was conducted to determine the extent and nature of this effect. Subjects who were given different advance organizers read texts and responded to questions about the topics in the texts. These questions were presented in an information retrieval context, on simulated pre-search forms. It was found that different organizing structures affected responses to questions in one topic of the three that were investigated. This demonstrates a complex interaction between the topic of the search, the organizing structure employed by users, and questions asked by intermediaries. Because the way users organize their knowledge has an impact on their interaction with information systems, these organizing structures may be candidates for inclusion in cognitive models of users. Other user characteristics that may affect information retrieval can be investigated using this type of experiment.