The Effect of Domain Knowledge on Icon Visualization

Iconic interfaces are now the de facto interface for most computer systems. Despite the popularity of iconic interfaces and the widespread belief that iconic interfaces are easier to comprehend than non-iconic interfaces, we have not come across any published study that has examined the effect of domain knowledge on end users’ interpretation of icons. An understanding of the relationship between domain knowledge and its effect on interpretation will enable us to design better icons to not only facilitate end users’ interpretation but also reduce misinterpretations of icons. This paper reports on an experimental study that investigates the effect of domain knowledge on novice users’ interpretation of icons. The hypotheses for this study are derived from theories in cognitive psychology and are empirically tested in an experiment. The results indicate that domain knowledge has no significant effect on the accuracy of interpretation. Domain knowledge, however, significantly affects the time taken to interpret icons and the confidence level of subjects. Theoretical perspectives on the interpretation of icons are also discussed.