Improving Human Performance in an Information Processing System.

This paper summarised the results of a large number of studies directed at improving the performance of individuals engaged in. a specialised information processing system. These studies demonstrate how the employment of a variety of human factors techniques could enhance effectiveness, without altering the quality of input into the system or changing basic equipment design. An attempt was made to show how a particular application of information theory could be used to control and evaluate data. ft is believed that this model is useful in other types of applications where uncertainties should be considered in relation to potential gains or losses. The model employs a computer as a complement of man, not as a substitute. The man in the system is still required to make complex judgements. The model merely requires some judgements to be made explicitly. The computer then helps generate additional judgements, provides rapid calculations, updates and systematically weights the information. It is left to the decision-maker to establish an acceptable quality standard for the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]