Split-screen vs. Move Between Spaces: Which Screen Layout is More Effective for Fact-Finding Between Multiple Screens?

Hur, Y. E., Hyun, N., Kim, Y., & Jun, S. (2024). Split-screen vs. Move Between Spaces: Which Screen Layout is More Effective for Fact-Finding Between Multiple Screens?. Proceedings of HCI Korea, 1025-1031.

Descriptions

This poster explores the effectiveness of two-screen layouts, split screen, and moving between spaces (MBS) during fact-finding tasks. It assesses completion time, accuracy, and cognitive load by examining user performance in both layouts through controlled experiments.

The study provides insights into the multi-screen layouts that have been under-researched, further contributing to an efficient system that corresponds to users' cognitive load.

Keywords: Multi-Screen Usability, Cognitive Load, Fact-Finding Efficiency

Goals

• To compare the effectiveness of Split-Screen and Move Between Spaces (MBS) layouts for fact-finding tasks.

• To understand how different levels of task complexity affect user performance across screen layouts.

Methodologies

• Pre-Study Survey: Gathered participant demographic data and familiarity with the macOS platform to evaluate its impact on performance.

• Controlled Experiment: Participants were randomly assigned to either the Split-Screen or MBS layout and asked to complete fact-finding tasks of varying complexity (factual vs. multi-step).

• Usability Testing: Metrics such as task completion time, accuracy, and number of queries were collected to measure efficiency and cognitive load in each layout.

• Post-Study Survey: Captured participants' preferred screen layout and insights on usability.

Results

• Split-Screen vs. MBS: The MBS layout showed faster task completion for multi-step questions, while there was no significant difference for factual questions.

• Accuracy: Both layouts performed similarly in terms of accuracy, with high overall task completion rates.

• User Preference: The pre-study survey showed a preference for Split-Screen layouts, but performance metrics indicated MBS was more efficient for complex tasks.