New Computer Science Study Findings Reported from University of Basel.(Report)

According to recent research from Basel, Switzerland, "Field format restrictions are often used in online forms to impose certain formatting and content rules on users, such as minimum password length or date entry format. In this study, the question whether and how format restrictions for fields in online forms should be communicated to Internet users was explored."

"In an online study with n = 166 participants, four ways to communicate format restrictions were investigated: (1) no visual format restriction, (2) format examples, (3) format specifications, and (4) both format restrictions (examples and specifications). providing details of any format restriction to users in advance leads to significantly fewer errors and trials. The most efficient way to communicate field format restrictions to users is by stating the imposed rule (format specification)," wrote J.A. Bargasavila and colleagues, University of Basel.

The researchers concluded: "Providing an additional example neither helps nor constrains users."

Bargasavila and colleagues published their study in Interacting with Computers (Enhancing online forms: Use format specifications for fields with format restrictions to help respondents. Interacting with Computers, 2011;23(1):33-39).

For additional information, contact J.A. Bargasavila, University of Basel, Dept. of Psychology, Center Cognitive Psychology & Methodol, CH-4003 Basel, SWITZERLAND..

Publisher contact information for the journal Interacting with Computers is: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Keywords: City:Basel, Country:Switzerland, Computer Science, Computers

This article was prepared by Computer Weekly News editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Computer Weekly News via VerticalNews.com.