The effects of task complexity and time availability limitations on human performance in database query tasks

Heikki Topi, Joseph S. Valacich, Jeffrey A. Hoffer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

Prior research on human ability to write database queries has concentrated on the characteristics of query interfaces and the complexity of the query tasks. This paper reports the results of a laboratory experiment that investigated the relationship between task complexity and time availability, a characteristic of the task context not investigated in earlier database research, while controlling the query interface, data model, technology, and training. Contrary to expectations, when performance measures were adjusted by the time used to perform the task, time availability did not have any effects on task performance while task complexity had a strong influence on performance at all time availability levels. Finally, task complexity was found to be the main determinant of user confidence. The implications of these results for future research and practice are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)349-379
Number of pages31
JournalInternational Journal of Human Computer Studies
Volume62
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Database query task
  • Task complexity
  • Time availability
  • Time pressure
  • Usability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Human Factors and Ergonomics
  • Education
  • General Engineering
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Hardware and Architecture

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