Evaluating the Effects of Display Realism on Map-Based Decision Making

Abstract

Geographic information systems (GIS) are tools used to facilitate locational decision making in interactive, graphic-based environments. GIS and interactive maps allow users to customize displays and manipulate data for accomplishing a variety of tasks, ranging from map interpretation to wayfinding and land use planning. Although originally adopted for professional use, GIS software is increasingly utilized by both expert and non-expert users. Despite the improved availability, training in cartographic design has not followed suit and studies claim that users often employ inefficient displays for task completion. Research on naïve realism indicates that people exhibit a bias for realistic depictions containing irrelevant, extraneous details, leading to increased cognitive load and decreased task performance. This dissertation explores how display realism affects decision making task performance when using a GIS. Prior studies examining naïve realism have primarily had users perform map reading and inference tasks with static displays. Natural resource management was selected as a test case because it often involves the use of geospatial tools and data and people with varying levels of GIS expertise. This research had expert and novice users utilize a GIS to perform site selection tasks for a natural resource management decision making scenario. The results indicate that increased display realism has a negative impact on task performance, especially with regards to task completion time. Individuals in both the expert and novice groups were influenced by naïve realism. It was observed that expert and novice users employed different strategies for task completion and the implications on task performance are discussed. Ultimately, the study results contribute to the theory of naïve realism and make recommendations that inform the use of task-appropriate graphic displays in an interactive mapping environment.