Searching for information in a time-pressured setting: experiences with a Text-based and an Image-based decision support system

Searching for the right information and making quick, accurate decisions within time-pressured settings is often non-trivial. We contrast the relative efficacies of written English (Text) and a more concise, compact communication mode (Image) for information search and decision making by using a financial incentive scheme to apply implicit time pressure on subjects. We found that, while Image users earned as much as Text users, they achieved this earnings parity by following speedier but less accurate strategies. We conclude with thoughts on possible refinements to our work that could steer subjects in the ideal direction of fast, accurate, lucrative decisions with languages like Image. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.