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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The purpose of this research is to investigate the ways in which individuals respond to electronically presented visual displays. We want to test the design of simple (e.g., identify an object surrounded by others) and complex displays (e.g., web pages). Many factors affect how quickly and easily one is able to navigate a visual display; some of these factors are not well understood. This study examines automatic processes that guide attention through a display. To do this, we will measure how fast and how accurate participants are at finding information within a display. Even though, we are proposing to study the basic visual perception system, applied outcomes are apparent. These data could be used to improve a website’s usability (byway of improved display designs) and facilitate the development of web design best practices. STATEMENT OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Participants will interact with a computer using E-Prime (experimental presentation software) which will also be used to collect data (reaction time, accuracy, ratings, and typed responses). Participants’ verbal report may also be recorded by the researcher. Participants will be shown a complex (e.g., webpage) or simple display and asked to report targeted information (e.g., What is Brian’s phone number?) as quickly and accurately as possible. At the end of the study, participants will take a demographic survey soliciting information including age and sex as well as their use of technology. ANTICIPATED RISKS AND BENEFITS This study poses minimal risk to participants. The physical risk is no more than a participant would encounter using a computer to visit a web page. The benefit of this experiment is twofold: 1) it will increase our understanding of the mental processes guiding our interactions within complex displays, leading to advances in interface usability, 2) it will provide basic data how the visual system operates, furthering scientific knowledge of perception. SUBJECT SELECTION Missouri Western State University students enrolled in entry level psychology courses will be given the opportunity to volunteer to participate in this study. Students will be given course credit as determined by their instructors for their participation. CONFIDENTIALITY Participants will be asked to sign their names on informed consent documents, but that document will not be associated with the results of the study. Each participant’s data will be associated with a number during data entry, but that number will never be linked to the participant’s identity. Therefore, the results of the study will be anonymous. Informed consent documents will be kept in a secure location to keep participation confidential. PRIMARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENT Click for Word Document