Date of Award

9-1992

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

David S. Christensen, PhD

Second Advisor

Robert E. Pappas, PhD

Abstract

This thesis investigated whether individuals interpreted iconic graphs differently than traditional graphs. A literature review revealed a lack of current research concerning iconic graphs. Using guidelines previously created for high-integrity graphics, a timed, pretest-posttest experiment was developed to compare the impressions rendered by both traditional and iconic graphs to determine whether men and women interpret the two types of graphs in the same way. It was also used to determine whether traditional bar graphs or iconic graphs were preferred by the subjects. Ninety-nine subjects, all employees of the Royal Australian Air Force/ United States Air Force, or defense contractors, were involved in the experiment. Through the use of the Mann- Whitney U Test, it was determined that the method of presentation did not affect an individual's interpretation of the graph. Individuals did, however, prefer the traditional methods of presentation. It was also determined that gender did not have an affect on an individual's ability to interpret a graph.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GCA-LSY-92S-1

DTIC Accession Number

ADA258785

Comments

The authors' Vita pages are omitted.

Presented to the Faculty of the School of Systems and Logistics

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