EFFECTS OF COMPUTER INTERFACES ON COMPUTER-BASED STATISTICAL-ANALYSIS

Thirty-one first-year psychology graduate students in a computer appli cations course completed a set of structured problems, unstructured pr oblems, and data-screening problems in each of two statistical computi ng environments: a menu-based interface (SPSS for Windows) and a tradi tional command-based interface (SPSSx). Performance on the menu-based interface was generally superior to performance on the command-based i nterface. More of the structured problems were completed successfully within the menu-based interface. The menu-based interface also facilit ated error identification, was rated as easier to use, and was preferr ed nearly 4 to 1 over the command-based interface. For the unstructure d problems, students identified more relationships in the data set and issued more statistical commands when working with the menu-based int erface. These findings are consistent with the interpretation that bec ause the menu-based interface requires fewer mental resources to be de dicated to the mechanics of analysis, more resources are available to devote to higher level problem solving.