FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-09/14

Title and Subtitle: Validating Information Complexity Questionnaires Using Travel Web Sites

Report Date: July 2009

Authors: Ling C, Lopez M, Xing J

Abstract: With the prevalent use of visual interfaces and the increasing demand to display more information, information complexity in human-computer interfaces becomes a major concern for technology designers. Complex interfaces affect the effectiveness, efficiency, and even the operational safety of a system.

Previously, researchers at the Federal Aviation Administration developed two questionnaires to evaluate information complexity of air traffic control displays. This study adapted the questionnaires for commercial computer interfaces and validated them with two types of tasks on three travel Web sites. The results demonstrated that both questionnaires had acceptable reliability, validity, and sensitivity.

Key Words: Interface Evaluation, Usability, Information Complexity, Assessment, Air Traffic Control Displays

No. of Pages: 20