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398 CHAPTER 13 Measuring the human

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Physiological data measurement tools present an interesting dilemma for
researchers. Electrodes, helmets, chest-mounted sensors, and other tools used
to measure these signals may be unfamiliar to many participants in research
studies. Particularly for head-mounted equipment, the unfamiliarity and
potential discomfort associated with these data collection tools may cause some
individuals to become nervous, upset, or otherwise ill at ease. These responses
might create a problem for studies aimed at understanding emotional responses
to computer tasks. How would you go about distinguishing between measurable
physiological responses that result from the use of unfamiliar, and potentially
uncomfortable, monitoring hardware from responses to the task in question? How
might factors such as the length of the experimental session and characteristics
of the tasks complicate the challenge of distinguishing between these types of
reactions?
2. Collaborative systems have the potential for generating a wide range of
emotional reactions. When two or more people use a single computer system
to work together on a problem of common interest (known as “colocated,
synchronous collaboration”), some tasks may cause conflict, tension,
excitement, or a variety of other emotional reactions. System behavior can also
influence user reactions, as technical glitches and encouraging or discouraging
feedback may lead to feelings of frustration. Technical concerns are even
greater for collaboration between users at different locations (“distributed
collaboration”), as network latencies, dropped connections, and slow responses
are just a few of the problems that might be encountered. How would you
go about measuring these emotional responses? Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of physiological data in this context, as opposed to self-reports,
observation, or video recording. How might you use physiological data to study
frustration in distributed collaboration?

RESEARCH DESIGN EXERCISE

Commonly available, inexpensive heart-rate monitors used for monitoring exercise
might be usable for measuring physiological responses to computer use. Use one of
these monitors to measure your pulse while you do a variety of computer tasks. First,
measure your pulse while you are relaxed. Then, try some increasingly demanding
and stressful tasks. You might try performing a simple task, such as completing an
email message, a more complex task involving an advanced tool, such as a photo
editor, a mentally challenging task, such as a math puzzle, and a fast-paced, exciting
video game. How does your pulse change with each of these activities? As the act of
pausing to read the display of the monitor may change your activity level, you might
want to ask a friend to do the measurement and take notes.