The Origins of Errors in Rule-Based Programming Tasks

基于规则的编程任务中错误的根源

• 批准号: 9618833
• 负责人: Wayne Gray
• 金额: $ 11.65万
• 依托单位: George Mason University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 1997
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1997-06-01 至 2000-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9618833&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Origins; Errors; Rule; Based; Programming

If "to err is human," then understanding the origin, nature, detection, and correction of errors should be an important goal for those engaged in the study of human-computer interaction. There are many ways in which we may err; the current proposal tackles one of the most modest, least studied, but most pervasive types of human errors: errors in performing simple, rule-based tasks. Rule-based tasks include tasks such as getting money from an ATM, programming a VCR to record a show, or using a browser to surf the web. Such tasks involve following a limited set of rules (i.e., well described procedures) to achieve limited, but well defined goals. They do not involve problem solving or creativity. Though seemingly modest in terms of their demands upon human cognition, the prevalence of errors in such tasks seems constant and high even with experienced users. The increasing number of such tasks at home (e.g., programmable voice-mail, thermostats, and bike odometers) and work (e.g., flight management computer on advanced commercial aircraft, routine use of spreadsheets or databases, and email systems) suggests that an indepth understanding of errors in these tasks could significantly improve the design of many simple but important interactive tools.

如果“犯错是人之常情”，那么理解错误的起源、性质、检测和纠正应该是从事人机交互研究的人的一个重要目标。我们可能会犯错误的方式有很多；目前的建议解决了一种最温和、最少研究、但最普遍的人为错误：执行简单的、基于规则的任务时的错误。基于规则的任务包括从自动取款机取钱、编程录像机录制节目或使用浏览器上网等任务。这类任务涉及遵循一套有限的规则(即描述良好的程序)，以实现有限但明确的目标。它们不涉及解决问题或创造力。尽管这类任务对人类认知的要求似乎不高，但即使是有经验的用户，这类任务中的错误发生率似乎也一直很高。在家中(例如，可编程语音邮件、恒温器和自行车里程计)和工作中(例如，先进商用飞机上的飞行管理计算机、电子表格或数据库的常规使用以及电子邮件系统)中，此类任务的数量不断增加，这表明深入了解这些任务中的错误可以显著改进许多简单但重要的交互工具的设计。