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Presentation
Effects of Graphical Weather Information versus Textual Weather Information on Situation Awareness in Meteorology
National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)
  • Stefan Melendez, M.S.A., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Andrew Dattel, Ph.D., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Christopher Herbster, Ph.D., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Debbie Schaum, M.A., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Andrey Babin, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Presenter Email
melendes@my.erau.edu
Location
Jim W. Henderson Administration & Welcome Center (Bldg. #602)
Start Date
8-16-2017 8:15 AM
End Date
8-16-2017 9:45 AM
Submission Type
Presentation
Keywords
  • Situation Awareness,
  • Situation Awareness in Meteorology
Abstract

Prior to a flight, pilots gather meteorological information in order to assess the weather conditions pertaining to their flight and to make decisions based on it. This information can come in various formats, such as text and graphical weather information. Research has shown that people have varying learning preferences and that most people prefer visual learning to verbal learning (i.e., graphical over text). It is hypothesized that this difference in learning preference can affect the way pilots interpret and apply the information they obtain prior to their flight. The researcher hypothesizes that graphical weather information has a greater, more positive impact on a pilot’s situation awareness in meteorology than textual weather information. For this study, 20 participants were recruited and presented with two sets of weather information and were then asked to fly two different cross-country flights using the weather information provided. While flying, participants were asked SPAM questions in order to assess their situation awareness in meteorology. The results showed graphical weather information to be better than textual weather information for the participants’ situation awareness in meteorology. Additional correlations showed evidence that people with both a high preference for visual learning and verbal learning can benefit from graphical weather information over textual weather information. Finally, the data collected indicated that the lack of meteorology training could be a factor in the misinterpretation of weather information.

Citation Information
Stefan Melendez, Andrew Dattel, Christopher Herbster, Debbie Schaum, et al.. "Effects of Graphical Weather Information versus Textual Weather Information on Situation Awareness in Meteorology" (2017)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/andy-dattel/2/