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Introduction to GOMS
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Today, we're going to discuss the GOMS model. Can anyone tell me what GOMS stands for?
Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection Rules!
Exactly! GOMS is a framework for understanding user tasks. Why do you think breaking down interactions into these components might be necessary?
It helps us understand the different actions a user takes to achieve their goals.
Correct! And with this breakdown, we can better predict how users will interact with a system. Can someone give an example of a goal someone might have when using a software application?
Editing a document could be a goal.
Great example! Goals can be quite high-level like that. Remember, GOMS allows a **structured** and **hierarchical** representation of user goals.
In summary, GOMS helps us model user knowledge and task execution more effectively.
Components of GOMS
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Letβs break down the GOMS components further. What are the four main elements?
Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection Rules!
You got it! Let's start with Goals. Can someone explain what defines a goal in this context?
A goal is a high-level objective that a user wants to achieve, like saving a file.
Exactly! Now, what about Operators? What do you think they refer to?
They are the specific actions a user takes, right? Like clicking a button or typing a command.
Absolutely! Operators can be cognitive or physical actions that help reach the goals. How do Methods relate to goals and operators?
Methods are how you achieve those goals using a sequence of operators.
Well said! Lastly, Selection Rules help the user decide between different methods based on context. Letβs summarize this: GOMS provides us a structured understanding of user tasks through its components.
Benefits of GOMS
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Now that we understand the components, why do you think GOMS is beneficial in interface design?
It allows us to predict how users will interact and optimize their experience.
Right! GOMS helps in optimizing interface design. Can anyone think of a specific way this might be useful in designing a UI?
We can compare different methods to see which is quicker for users.
Exactly! By analyzing different methods, we can identify the most efficient one, enhancing user interaction. Why is the **hierarchical structure** of GOMS particularly beneficial?
It reflects how users naturally think about tasks and helps break down complex tasks.
Great insight! The hierarchical nature parallels human cognition, making the model more aligned with actual user behavior. In conclusion, using GOMS can lead to better designs that foster user efficiency.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
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The section provides a comprehensive overview of the (CMN)GOMS model, emphasizing its evolution from KLM, its components β Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection Rules β and the significance of its hierarchical nature for modeling complex cognitive processes in user interactions.
Detailed
(CMN)GOMS Model Overview
The GOMS (Goals, Operators, Methods, Selection Rules) model represents a family of predictive human performance models designed to analyze user interaction with complex systems. Developed by Card, Moran, and Newell, the GOMS framework builds upon the foundational concepts laid out in the simpler Keystroke-Level Model (KLM).
Key Components of GOMS
- Goals (G): High-level objectives that drive user actions and can be broken down into nested sub-goals.
- Operators (O): Basic actions performed by the user (cognitive, perceptual, motor) necessary to achieve goals.
- Methods (M): Sequences of operators and sub-goals that represent efficient ways to achieve specific goals.
- Selection Rules (S): Rules guiding the choice among multiple methods for a given goal based on context and personal preferences.
Importance of Hierarchy
GOMS emphasizes a hierarchical representation of user knowledge, mimicking human cognitive structures. This structure enhances clarity and maintainability in modeling, allowing GOMS to capture complex task execution effectively.
Benefits and Applications
Employing GOMS allows designers to gain deeper insights into user behavior, compare different methods for task execution, optimize interfaces for efficiency, and better understand the knowledge users need to interact with systems effectively. Its hierarchical nature offers a robust framework for predicting task execution times and enhancing user-centered design.
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Introduction to the GOMS Family of Models
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GOMS is not a separate model but rather a family of predictive human performance models, originally conceptualized by Card, Moran, and Newell. KLM is considered the most basic and simplified member of this family, focusing solely on the 'Operators' component in a linear fashion.
Unlike KLM's linear sequence, GOMS provides a much more structured and hierarchical representation of both user knowledge (how users understand a system) and task execution. This hierarchy allows for modeling more complex cognitive processes.
A key differentiator of GOMS is its explicit modeling of cognitive processes involved in task execution, making it suitable for analyzing not just motor actions but also the decision-making and planning aspects of user interaction.
The (CMN) prefix often refers to the original formulation and theoretical basis laid out by Card, Moran, and Newell in their seminal work, highlighting its strong theoretical foundation in cognitive psychology.
Detailed Explanation
The GOMS model represents a large family of models developed to understand human-computer interaction. Unlike the simpler KLM model, which looks at actions in a straight line, GOMS organizes information into a hierarchy, allowing for a more intricate look at how users think and act. This means that GOMS can help analyze not just physical actions but also the user's thought processes, making it more effective for understanding complex tasks. The 'CMN' indicates its foundational roots in cognitive psychology, signifying its academic credibility and relevance in real-world applications.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine planning a vacation. If KLM is akin to just listing the steps in order (e.g., book flight, reserve hotel, pack bags), GOMS helps break down each step into objectives (set budget, find destinations) and possible ways to achieve those (search online, ask friends). Just like how you would organize your vacation planning into smaller tasks and strategies, GOMS organizes user interactions into a structured model, providing clarity on how to best achieve outcomes.
Comprehensive Components of the GOMS Model
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GOMS is an acronym for its four fundamental components, which collectively describe the knowledge an expert user must possess to accomplish tasks with a system:
- Goals (G):
- Definition: These represent what the user desires to achieve. Goals are the high-level objectives or intentions that drive user interaction. They can be broken down into nested sub-goals, forming a hierarchy.
- Examples: GOAL: Edit-Document, GOAL: Send-Email, GOAL: Find-File, etc.
- Operators (O):
- Definition: These are the basic perceptual, cognitive, and motor actions that a user performs, or that the system performs, to work towards achieving a goal.
- Examples: TypeString("report.docx"), Click(Save_Button), ReadPrompt("Are you sure?").
- Methods (M):
- Definition: A method is a well-learned, pre-defined, and practiced sequence of operators and sub-goals that can be employed to achieve a specific goal.
- Examples for GOAL: Delete-Word might include two methods: Mouse-Select-and-Menu-Delete or Keyboard-Shortcut-Delete.
- Selection Rules (S):
- Definition: These are rules that specify precisely which method to choose when there is more than one available method for achieving a given goal. They often follow an "If-Then" structure.
Detailed Explanation
GOMS contains four main components that each play a critical role in understanding user interaction:
1. Goals are what the user ultimately wants to achieve through the system. These can be broken down into smaller sub-goals, making complex tasks more manageable.
2. Operators are the basic actions a user or system takes. They include physical actions like typing or clicking as well as cognitive actions like reading or deciding.
3. Methods represent the strategies or sequences of actions used by users to achieve their goals efficiently. There can often be multiple methods available for a single goal, depending on user preferences and context.
4. Selection Rules help users decide among the various methods based on criteria such as efficiency or familiarity, ensuring they pick the best approach for each situation.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a chef following a recipe. The goal is to prepare a dish. The operators are the actions needed, like chopping vegetables or boiling water. The chef might have several methods for achieving this, like frying or steaming. The selection rules help the chef choose the best method based on what's available (e.g., if they have a frying pan versus a steamer). Just as the chef combines these elements to create a meal effectively, users rely on GOMS to execute tasks competently.
The Significance of Hierarchy in GOMS
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GOMS explicitly models the inherent hierarchical nature of human task execution and problem-solving. High-level goals are systematically decomposed into sub-goals, which in turn are achieved by executing specific methods. These methods are ultimately composed of sequences of operators or further nested sub-goals.
This hierarchical structure closely mirrors how humans often conceptualize and break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable units. It allows the model to capture the cognitive organization of user knowledge, making it more powerful for representing complex interactions than simple linear models.
Detailed Explanation
The hierarchical structure of GOMS plays a vital role in modeling how users process tasks. It reflects the way people think, allowing users to break down bigger, complex goals into smaller, actionable tasks, making it easier to approach problem-solving. This organization provides a clearer picture of user interactions by focusing on how each task component connects back to the overall goal, which can help improve system design by making user paths more intuitive and aligned with human thinking.
Examples & Analogies
Consider building a piece of furniture from a kit. The main goal is to assemble the furniture, but that can be broken down into several sub-goals: unboxing, sorting pieces, reading instructions, and then assembling each part step by step. The methods might vary based on personal experience or preferences (e.g., following the instructions versus going by intuition), and the hierarchical nature of GOMS helps visualize this whole process. Just as organizing these tasks helps a builder complete each step without confusion, GOMS guides developers in structuring systems to support users effectively.
Profound Benefits of Employing GOMS Models
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GOMS provides a significantly richer and more granular understanding of user behavior and underlying cognitive processes compared to simpler models like KLM. It exposes the precise sequence of thoughts and actions.
- Unparalleled Detailed Analysis: GOMS allows for a much deeper examination of user behavior, which is essential in creating intuitive interfaces.
- Robust Method Comparison and Optimization: It's an exceptionally powerful tool for comparing the efficiency of different methods for achieving the same goal.
- Accurate Prediction of Execution Time: Like KLM, GOMS predicts how long tasks will take, enabling designers to anticipate user interactions accurately.
- Revealing Required User Knowledge: GOMS elucidates what knowledge users need to complete tasks, aiding in training and design considerations.
Detailed Explanation
Using GOMS models enhances understanding of user behavior in interaction with systems by diving deeper into cognitive processes. It enables designers to analyze multiple methods for achieving the same goal effectively, making it easier to optimize user experience. Predicting how long tasks might take streamlines the design process, allowing designers to create more user-friendly interfaces. Additionally, understanding the knowledge and skills users must have can guide the development of training programs and help refine instructional materials.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a student learning to solve math problems. A simple model might just show the steps to arrive at the answer. In contrast, a GOMS model digs deeper, examining how students understand concepts, choose different methods (like using a calculator or solving it by hand), and what background knowledge they need to make those choices. This deeper insight allows educators to tailor their teaching strategies, just like GOMS helps designers create better systems.
Definitions & Key Concepts
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Key Concepts
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GOMS Model: A framework for analyzing user tasks using Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection Rules.
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Hierarchical Structure: GOMS' structured approach mirrors human cognitive processes, allowing complex task modeling.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
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Examples
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Editing a document serves as a goal, while typing and saving act as operators within different methods to achieve the goal.
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When a user has the choice to paste copied text using a context menu or a keyboard shortcut, the selection rules guide the preferred method.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
π΅ Rhymes Time
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To reach the goals, just keep in mind, operators help you, methods you'll find.
π Fascinating Stories
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Imagine a chef (Goal) deciding to bake a cake. He chooses ingredients (Operators) and follows a recipe (Methods) while figuring out if to layer the cake with chocolate or vanilla (Selection Rules).
π§ Other Memory Gems
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Use GOMS! Great Options Make Sense!
π― Super Acronyms
G.O.M.S.
- Get Organized Methods to Succeed.
Flash Cards
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: Goals
Definition:
High-level objectives that a user intends to achieve, such as editing a document.
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Term: Operators
Definition:
Basic perceptual, cognitive, and motor actions performed by the user or system during task execution.
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Term: Methods
Definition:
Well-defined sequences of operators and sub-goals employed to achieve a specific goal.
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Term: Selection Rules
Definition:
Rules that dictate which method to choose when multiple methods are available for accomplishing a goal.