CS295J/Literature class 2.11

• Project Ernestine A research project from way back that demonstrated that modeling cognition plus motor plus perceptual tasks by telephone operators could predict the efficiency of a new user interface. The efficiency turned out to be lower than the old, low-tech version, which was a surprise. This paper is just the kind of result I'd like to be able to publish about more complex user interfaces. (Owner: David Laidlaw, discussion: ?, discussant: ?)

• Cognitive Strategies and Eye Movements for Searching Hierarchical Computer Displays This paper uses predictive modeling and eye-tracking data together to explain search behavior in hierarchical or non-hierarchical layouts. The layouts were lists of items organized in labeled groups, with the labels being either useful (hierarchical condition) or random (non-hierarchical condition). The research question is about whether people use different strategies when searching for a target item in each condition. They compared their model's predictions to observed eye movements and found them to be a pretty good fit, and therefore characterized search strategies using the model. (Owner: Caroline Ziemkiewicz, discussion: ?, discussant: ?)

• Mapping Human Whole-Brain Structural Networks with Diffusion MRI The authors use diffusion MRI to create network maps with significantly larger detail than previous models of physical connectivity. Their methods allow them to study live humans and model the interconnectivity of neuronal groups as networks with thousands of nodes versus previous methods with less than 100 nodes studied from post-mortem animal subjects. Based on these new experimental methods they demonstrate that the brain network is in the form of a small world. (Owner: Stephen Brawner, discussion: ?, discussant: ?)