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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE We are investigating how novel stimuli can be presented within a graphical display without causing an exogenous orienting of attention. Iqbal & Bailey (2007) examined lowering user distractions by predicting periods of low mental workload to present novel stimuli. However, this method still causes an exogenous orienting of attention. Our research looks at reducing these transient signals that cause an exogenous orienting of attention. Understanding how attention is controlled eliminates the need to predict mental work load resulting in high user experience. In addition to keyboard responses, use of an Eye Tracker may be used to accurately determine where visual attention is located. STATEMENT OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Participants will perform all experimental procedures on a computer with eye tracking equipment. Instructions will be read to participants during orientation and presented on the computer screen. Before the experiment begins, the eye tracker will be calibrated to track participant’s eye movements. After calibration, participants will begin the experiment. The first part of the experiment will require participants to determine if a word is either singular or plural. Exactly 200msec after the word appears, a second word will appear that will either flash or fade onto the screen. Participants will have to determine if the second word is a vehicle type (i.e. car, truck, boat, train. etc). The second word will fade onto the screen in a continuous monochromatic sequence. A bar located directly under the word will either fade with the second word or flash. Eye fixations may be tracked to determine exactly where visual attention is being oriented given each trial. At the end of the experiment, participants will be debriefed on the purpose of the study. ANTICIPATED RISKS AND BENEFITS This study has minimal risk to participants. Participants will be encouraged to adjust their chairs up or down so that they are able to comfortably rest their head on the chin rest. Data collection is kept short to minimize fatigue. An experimenter is with the participant during the entire procedure and the participant is instructed to let the experimenter know if he or she is experiencing any discomfort. The benefits of this experiment would be gaining knowledge on how attention is controlled within graphical displays and developing a new method to present novel stimuli increasing the usability of graphical displays SUBJECT SELECTION Participants will be volunteer students from entry level psychology courses at Missouri Western State University. Students will be given course credit for participation. CONFIDENTIALITY Participants will be asked to sign an informed consent. All data collected will be given a subject number ensuring that all data and results will remain anonymous. Informed consents will be kept in a secure location to keep participation confidential. PRIMARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENT Click for Word Document Extension Request on 05-04-2010 We have completed one experiment, but still need to complete a couple of follow-ups. Please, extend our IRB through the next year. Thank you. Extension Request on 09-27-2010 We would like to extend the IRB to include another year. Extension Request on 10-01-2010 For another year Extension Request on 10-25-2010 Extension Request on 01-18-2011 We need another semester to finish collecting data. Extension Request on 02-18-2011 Conduct a follow up experiment to help with data analysis. Extension Request on 04-22-2011 Extension Request on 06-22-2011 Extension Request on 08-20-2011 Extension Request on 10-20-2011 Extension Request on 12-21-2011 Extension Request on 02-16-2012 Extension Request on 04-16-2012 Extension Request on 06-16-2012 Extension Request on 08-16-2012 Extension Request on 10-14-2012 Extension Request on 12-12-2012 Extension Request on 02-11-2013 Extension Request on 04-11-2013