Cognitive Analyses for Interface Design Using Dual N-Back Tasks for Mental Workload (MWL) Evaluation

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 9;20(2):1184. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20021184.

Abstract

In the manufacturing environments of today, human-machine systems are constituted with complex and advanced technology, which demands workers' considerable mental workload. This work aims to design and evaluate a Graphical User Interface developed to induce mental workload based on Dual N-Back tasks for further analysis of human performance. This study's contribution lies in developing proper cognitive analyses of the graphical user interface, identifying human error when the Dual N-Back tasks are presented in an interface, and seeking better user-system interaction. Hierarchical task analysis and the Task Analysis Method for Error Identification were used for the cognitive analysis. Ten subjects participated voluntarily in the study, answering the NASA-TLX questionnaire at the end of the task. The NASA-TLX results determined the subjective participants' mental workload proving that the subjects were induced to different levels of mental workload (Low, Medium, and High) based on the ANOVA statistical results using the mean scores obtained and cognitive analysis identified redesign opportunities for graphical user interface improvement.

Keywords: NASA-TLX; hierarchical task analysis (HTA); mental workload (MWL); task analysis for error identification (TAFEI).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cognition
  • Humans
  • Man-Machine Systems
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Task Performance and Analysis*
  • Workload* / psychology

Grants and funding

The Tecnológico Nacional de México supported this work under the grant [9949.21-P]. and the Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) supported this work under the grant to doctoral student 46307.