Do Interrupted Users Work Faster or Slower? The Micro-analysis of Computerized Text Editing Task

Abstract

Previous research on the effects of interruptions on the speed of performing the computerized tasks gave rather non-homogeneous results: many authors insist that interrupted users always complete tasks slower than when performing the same tasks without interruption, but others showed that interrupting a user during some categories of tasks caused that user to complete the tasks faster. The micro-analysis of concrete text editing operations conducted in our experimental study revealed the difference between the effects of interruptions on cognitively simple and cognitively complex tasks. While the performance of simple tasks was not influenced by interruptions, interruptions slowered complex task performance. The task re-orientation after the interruption was found to be responsible for performance degradation.