Acceptability of a computer-administered psychiatric interview

A computerized version of the Present State Examination was developed and administered to 29 patients sitting at a terminal. Each subject was also interviewed by a doctor. After both interviews, patient acceptability of the computer interview was assessed. Subjects were asked to respond to number of objectively evaluated attitude statements expressing favorable or unfavorable attitudes to computer interviewing. A second objective scale (a ‘semantic differential scale’) was also administered, and patients were invited to describe their experience of the computer assessment in their own words. Patients were finally asked to state outright whether they had preferred the doctor or the computer. Patient acceptability was found to be high, with over 85% of the sample having favorable attitudes towards the computer.     

Prior negative experiences: their impact on computer training outcomes

This study examined how a person's negative experiences with computers prior to a training class interacted with their motivation to predict their performance in a computer class. Participants were 384 students who completed a computer course that was designed to introduce them to personal computers and a popular software package. Questionnaires were administered to the participants on the first day of the course to assess their prior negative experiences with computers, along with their computer attitudes, achievement motivation, and computer knowledge. Performance was measured objectively throughout the course with tests over the relevant material. Results indicated some evidence that the participants' pre-training motivation was moderated by their prior negative experiences when predicting test performance.     

Teachers’ attitudes toward web-based professional development,with relation to Internet self-efficacy and beliefs about web-based learning

This study was conducted to explore the relationships between teachers’ Internet self-efficacy, beliefs about web-based learning and attitudes toward web-based professional development. The sample of this study included 421 teachers, coming from 20 elementary schools in Taiwan. The three instruments used to assess teachers’ Internet self-efficacy (ISS), beliefs about web-based learning (BWL), and attitudes toward web-based professional development (AWPD) revealed high reliability. In this study, the results supported that teachers’ Internet self-efficacy and beliefs about web-based learning were important predictors of their attitudes toward web-based professional development. The belief for the positive consequences of web-based learning is very important for the favorable attitudes toward web-based professional development.     

Perceived competence in computer use as a moderator of musculoskeletal strain in VDU work: an ergonomics intervention case

Musculoskeletal strain and other symptoms are common in visual display unit (VDU) work. Psychosocial factors are closely related to the outcome and experience of musculoskeletal strain. The user-computer relationship from the viewpoint of the quality of perceived competence in computer use was assessed as a psychosocial stress indicator. It was assumed that the perceived competence in computer use moderates the experience of musculoskeletal strain and the success of the ergonomics intervention. The participants (n = 124, female 58%, male 42%) worked with VDU for more than 4 h per week. They took part in an ergonomics intervention and were allocated into three groups: intensive; education; and reference group. Musculoskeletal strain, the level of ergonomics of the workstation assessed by the experts in ergonomics and amount of VDU work were estimated at the baseline and at the 10-month follow-up. Age, gender and the perceived competence in computer use were assessed at the baseline. The perceived competence in computer use predicted strain in the upper and the lower part of the body at the follow-up. The interaction effect shows that the intensive ergonomics intervention procedure was the most effective among participants with high perceived competence. The interpretation of the results was that an anxiety-provoking and stressful user-computer relationship prevented the participants from being motivated and from learning in the ergonomics intervention. In the intervention it is important to increase the computer competence along with the improvements of physical workstation and work organization.     

The Greek computer attitudes scale: construction and assessment of psychometric properties

The purpose of this paper was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a computer attitudes scale for the Greek population. Through both adapting items from other scales and writing new items, this study developed a Greek Computer Attitudes Scale of 30 items, with three subscales: confidence, affection, and cognitive. This study also explored sex differences on the GCAS, and the relationship between age, computer experience, and confidence with computers and participants’ responses on the scale. Questionnaire data from four Greek samples, which included participants from the general population (185 and 354 individuals, respectively), 222 teachers and 99 undergraduate students, were analyzed. Results indicated that: (1) both the reliability (internal consistency and test–retest) and validity (concurrent) of the GCAS were adequate; (2) the relationship between age and GCAS was not significant, whereas sex did not have a significant effect on GCAS scores; and (3) perceived computer experience and confidence with computers were strongly related to favorable attitudes toward computers.     

Attitudes of individuals with visual impairments towards distance education

The aims of this work were to examine the attitudes of individuals with visual impairments towards distance education (DE) and the relationships between attitudes and participants’ personal characteristics. Forty-one adults with visual impairments, who ranged in age from 20 to 40, participated in this study. A self-constructed questionnaire measuring the attitudes towards DE was employed. The participants’ answers revealed slightly positive emotions towards DE according to the affective component of attitudes, slightly positive attitudes when DE is compared with traditional education, and positive attitudes as far as the cognitive component of attitudes and participants’ intention to participate in a DE programme were concerned. The elder participants seem to have more positive attitudes towards DE compared with younger participants. Furthermore, the greater the level of education, the more positive were the attitudes towards DE, and the greater the frequency of computer usage, the more positive were the attitudes towards DE. The analysis of the data collected revealed that the sample of individuals with visual impairments had slightly positive attitudes towards DE. Age, level of education, and frequency of computer usage were found to be significant predictors of the participants’ attitudes.     

Collecting free-response data via computers: effects of technology on responses to hypothetical scenarios

This study compared pen-and-paper and computer administrations of free-response instruments. Two-hundred-and-fifty-seven subjects were assigned to either a computer or pen-and-paper condition and were administered two free-response instruments, one a diagnostic for message design logic, the other a hypothetical scenario depicting a group decision-making situation. Findings revealed no difference in proportion of cases assigned to each level of message design across mode of administration. However, contrary to predictions, women were not more likely to be classified at the rhetorical level of message design. Although not statistically significant due to low power, examination of message design within mode of administration revealed that more women from the pen-and-paper administration were classified as rhetoricals than men, but more men were classified at that level than women in the computer administration. Some differences in message content from the group situation were found across mode of administration or by gender within mode. Discussion addresses the cognitive processes associated with message production in mediated circumstances as well as gender differences in attitudes toward computing.     

Computer anxiety and attitudes towards microcomputer use

Survey data gathered from 187 participants were used to examine the relationship between demographic variables, computer training and experience, management support and system quality and computer anxiety, and attitudes toward microcomputers. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the quality of the computer-based information system which represents the interface and the interaction between the participants and the system has a strong positive effect on attitudes toward microcomputers, and a significant reduction on computer anxiety. Computer training contributes strongly to decrease in computer anxiety and has an indirect effect on attitudes toward microcomputers. However, computer experience and management support were found to affect the attitudes toward microcomputers directly. Among the demographic variables, gender was the only one which correlated highly with computer anxiety. Implications for the design of information and decision support systems and future research are discussed.     

Evaluation of a computer program for teaching laboratory diagnosis of acid-base disorders.

A computer program was evaluated as a tool for increasing the diagnostic acumen of medical housestaff and students in identifying acid-base disorders. The participants were randomized into two groups; group A (N = 20) was encouraged to use the software, and group B (N = 19) was denied access. Pre- and post-tests were administered to delineate the groups' ability to identify correctly an acid-base disorder from laboratory data (electrolytes and arterial blood gas). During 6 weeks, group A used the computer for a mean of 2.83 h (range 1 to 6). The mean +/- SE number of correct answers out of 20 questions, prior to use of the computer program, were 5.7 +/- 0.8 (95% confidence interval 3.9 to 7.5) for group A and 5.2 +/- 0.6 (95% confidence interval 3.9 to 6.5) for group B. These results were not statistically different. Correct responses increased significantly in group A to 10.3 +/- 0.9 (P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval 8.4 to 12.2) but did not increase significantly in group B. The data suggest that this software program was effective in increasing the diagnostic capabilities of medical housestaff and students for identifying acid-base disorders.     

Perceived competence in computer use as a moderator of musculoskeletal strain in VDU work: An ergonomics intervention case

Musculoskeletal strain and other symptoms are common in visual display unit (VDU) work. Psychosocial factors are closely related to the outcome and experience of musculoskeletal strain. The user – computer relationship from the viewpoint of the quality of perceived competence in computer use was assessed as a psychosocial stress indicator. It was assumed that the perceived competence in computer use moderates the experience of musculoskeletal strain and the success of the ergonomics intervention. The participants (n = 124, female 58%, male 42%) worked with VDU for more than 4 h per week. They took part in an ergonomics intervention and were allocated into three groups: intensive; education; and reference group. Musculoskeletal strain, the level of ergonomics of the workstation assessed by the experts in ergonomics and amount of VDU work were estimated at the baseline and at the 10-month follow-up. Age, gender and the perceived competence in computer use were assessed at the baseline. The perceived competence in computer use predicted strain in the upper and the lower part of the body at the follow-up. The interaction effect shows that the intensive ergonomics intervention procedure was the most effective among participants with high perceived competence. The interpretation of the results was that an anxiety-provoking and stressful user – computer relationship prevented the participants from being motivated and from learning in the ergonomics intervention. In the intervention it is important to increase the computer competence along with the improvements of physical workstation and work organization.     

Effectiveness of a microcomputer-training workshop for college professionals

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a three-week microcomputer training workshop for college professionals. Measuring instruments were developed specifically for this purpose. Goals were to increase proficiency with, understanding of, and knowledge about computers, to reduce nervousness, and to examine the effects of prior attitude toward the computer on workshop effectiveness. Participants were 24 female and 27 male college professional staff; the majority were professors. Instruction, by other college faculty and staff, was provided for three consecutive hours per day. Participants completed questionnaires immediately before and after the workshop. Reliability analyses showed that the measuring instruments had good internal consistency. Repeated-measures analyses of variance found that participants thought computers were more understandable, and described themselves as less nervous, more knowledgeable, and more proficient after the workshop than before. Results also showed that general computer attitude had no effect, but that a more specific measure of perceived computer clarity was related to workshop effectiveness. Thus, the results demonstrated that group training using peer instruction was successful with a college sample.     

Investigating the Effect of System Reliability,Risk, and Role on Users' Emotions and Attitudes toward a Safety-Critical Drone System

In safety-critical systems, it is essential to communicate relevant information to facilitate decision-making, promote trust, and improve performance without overloading users. To explore the effect of system performance information on rational and emotional processing by users, we performed a between-subject experiment in which participants were asked to imagine themselves as a drone operator or system administrator in a high-, medium-, or low-risk scenario. Then, based on their imagined scenario and role, participants rated the relevance of four aspects of system reliability to decision-making with the system, as well as the expected intensity of the GREAT emotions. Results indicate that system performance information affected participants’ reasoning differently depending on risk level. Moreover, participants had different perspectives depending on their role in the system. Those in administrator roles indicated higher respect ratings for those with a similar role. These findings demonstrate that contextual risk and a user’s role can influence emotions and attitudes toward safety-critical computer systems.     

Twenty guidelines for the design of Web-based interfaces with consistent language

The 20 guidelines presented in this paper for the design of consistent computer interfaces are based on the data derived from the use of a 94-item, nine-factor questionnaire, the Interface Consistency Testing Questionnaire (ICTQ), that was administered to 140 participants. The questionnaire data was collected from a total of 20 diversified tasks. The questionnaire on which the guidelines are based has a good construct validity, interrater reliability (0.75), and internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's α (0.81). The questionnaire proved to be adequately sensitive to discriminate between consistent and inconsistent interface designs.     

A contingency model of computer and Internet self-efficacy

Information system researchers have recently devoted considerable attention to the concept of computer self-efficacy in order to understand computer user behavior and system use. This article reports on the development and examination of a contingency model of computer and Internet self-efficacy. User attitude and computer anxiety were assumed to influence the development of computer and Internet self-efficacy. Measures of user attitude, computer anxiety, computer self-efficacy, and Internet self-efficacy were used in a university environment to collect 347 responses at both the beginning and end of an introductory computer course. Results suggested that training significantly improved computer and Internet self-efficacy. Respondents with ‘favorable’ attitudes toward computers improved their self-efficacy significantly more than respondents with ‘unfavorable’ attitudes. Respondents with ‘low’ computer anxiety improved their self-efficacy significantly more than respondents with ‘high’ computer anxiety. The interaction effect between attitude and anxiety was significant for computer self-efficacy scores but not for Internet self-efficacy scores. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

The effects of computer versus paper-and-pencil administration on measures of anger and revenge with an inmate population

A current issue in personality assessment is whether computer versions of personality tests are psychometrically equivalent to paper-and-pencil originals. A total of 52 male inmates were randomly assigned to computer or paper-and-pencil administration conditions. The following measures were administered to the inmates in either computer or paper-and-pencil formats: the trait section of the State-Trait Personality Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1979), the Anger Expression Scale (Spielberger et al., 1986), the Belief Scale (Malouff & Schutte, 1986), and the Vengeance Scale (Stuckless & Goranson, 1992). No mean or variance differences were found indicating that computer and paper-and-pencil versions of these instruments are essentially equivalent. Analyses which examined the effects of computer anxiety, preference for computer administration and social desirability also indicated equivalency. The findings of this study, although indicating the equivalency of a number of measures, do not support the use of computer versions of other paper-and-pencil instruments without prior demonstration of their equivalency with the population of interest. The pervasive social desirability contamination found in this study brings into question the validity of assessments of incarcerated individuals regardless of administration modality.     

基于减函数的多层贝叶斯离散型软件可靠性验证测试方案

随着计算机软件的广泛应用,由于软件失效而导致的航空系统异常越发频繁。因此,通过软件可靠性验证测试(SRDT)来客观评估软件可靠性水平是否满足指标要求,已经引起人们的关注。基于贝叶斯理论的软件可靠性验证测试方案(Bayesian-SRDT)可利用先验信息来降低软件可靠性验证测试工作量。如何构造合适的失效概率先验分布函数,是决定面向离散型软件可靠性验证测试工作量大小的重要因素。已有研究成果表明,使用减函数来构造先验分布函数是一种有效的方法。本论文在减函数理论及贝叶斯理论基础上,提出一种基于减函数的多层贝叶斯离散型软件可靠性验证测试方案(MBDFDSRDT)。首先选取面向失效概率的减函数作为第一层先验分布密度函数,然后选择第一层先验分布密度函数超参数的均匀分布函数来构造其第二层先验分布密度函数,进而给出相应的多层后验分布密度函数。最后,选取若干组失效数据,对本课题提出的MBDFDSRDT方案进行实践应用,并与基于贝叶斯理论的软件可靠性验证测试方以及基于减函数的单层贝叶斯软件可靠性验证测试方案进行对比。应用结果表明,本课题研究成果可显著地降低所需的测试工作量,特别适用于高可靠安全关键软件。     

Computer use,confidence, attitudes,and knowledge: A causal analysis

This study introduces a casual model which links measures of computer experience, computer-related attitudes, computer-related confidence, and perceived computer-based knowledge. The model is based on the concept of computer literacy, and on an attitude-behavior theory which argues that beliefs lead to attitudes, and that attitudes are an important precursor to behavior. The causal model suggests that computer use has a positive effect on perceived computer self-confidence, as well as on computer-related attitudes. The model hypothesizes that computer attitudes and computer confidence have a positive mutual effect, and that both factors positively effect perceived computer knowledge. Questionnaires were administered to 309 students in Grades 7–12. The theoretical model was tested by structural equation analysis (LISREL) and, as expected, all causal effects, including the reciprocal one, were confirmed. The contribution and relevance of these findings to future educational research and to school practices are discussed.     

The psychological impact of technology from a global perspective: A study of technological sophistication and technophobia in university students from twenty-three countries

This study examined technological sophistication and the level of technophibia in 3,392 first year university students in 38 universities from 23 countries. Technological sophistication was measured by the use of consumer technology (video-cassette recorders, microwave ovens, automated banking machines, computer/video games), university computing (classroom computers, word processing, programming languages, and library computers) and computer ownership. Technophobia was assessed by instruments measuring anxiety, cognitions and attitudes toward computer technology. Results indicated that many countries showed a majority of technophobic students while others showed very few technophobes. Consistent with expectations from prior research, age and gender were only mildly correlated with technophobia in less than one-fourth of the countries and computer/technology experience was negatively related to technophobia in the majority of country samples. Male students had more computer/technology experience than female students in half the samples. Technological sophistication varied greatly. A Discriminant Function Analysis indicated that two variables, a composite computer/technology experience measure and a composite technophobia score, were sufficient to provide maximal discrimination between the 23 country samples. Differences between country sample placement on this two-dimensional representation are discussed as a function of public attitudes toward technology, cultural characteristics, political climate, computer use in the educational system and general availability of technological innovations.