Parallax Advanced Research Cognitive Research Scientists Publish Study on Human Sensemaking in Surveillance Scenarios

Beavercreek, OH – Parallax Advanced Research cognitive researchers Dr. Mary Frame and Ms. Anna Maresca published significant research in the prestigious Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society titled Evaluation of Simulated Recognition Aids for Human Sensemaking in Applied Surveillance Scenarios. This publication was selected as one of the 711th Human Performance Wing Top 10 Publications for 2021 – 2022.The study explores the effectiveness of recognition aids in enhancing human sensemaking abilities during surveillance operations.

This research was conducted by Dr. Frame and Ms. Maresca in collaboration with Air Force Research Laboratory under Principal Investigator Dr. Robert Patterson. Focusing on human factors, this research delves into the critical intersection of technology and human cognition, aiming to improve analyst decision-making processes in complex surveillance environments. Their findings provide valuable insights into how simulated recognition aids can support operators in making timely and accurate assessments, which is crucial for maintaining situational awareness and enhancing overall operational effectiveness.

Key Highlights from the Study:

Rigorous experimental evaluation of simulated recognition aids revealed significant impacts on human performance metrics including decision accuracy, response time, and mental workload.

Emphasis on integrating advanced technological solutions with human cognitive processes, providing actionable recommendations for optimizing recognition aid design and deployment in real-world surveillance applications.

Contributions to cognitive engineering and human-computer interaction, paving the way for future advancements in operational settings.

Focus on enhancing human sensemaking in surveillance scenarios, highlighting the effectiveness of selective attention in identifying essential elements.

Insight that indiscriminate attentional focus improves performance only when critical indicators such as people or vehicles are involved, emphasizing the nuanced role of attentional guidance in sensemaking.

Relevance to advancing human-machine systems for enhancing the sensemaking capabilities of intelligence analysts in operational environments.

“The value of the methodology employed in this study is that it allows us to test assumptions made about human cognition in a realistic tasking environment without the need to fully develop a novel tool,” said Dr. Frame. “We can emulate the functionality of a tool working under ideal or less than ideal conditions and determine if it actually serves the analyst and if not, why not. Rather than assuming, for example, that assisting with visual search can improve sensemaking by freeing up cognitive resources, we can directly test whether that assumption is correct. Since it appears to not do that universally, we can then simulate and empirically test what types of directed search improve sensemaking. Our next step will be to test further what kinds of interventions and decision support systems can robustly improve human sensemaking so that development of new tools can provide tangible benefits to analysts.”

The full research paper is available online. Read more here. This paper is approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2022-1606; cleared 06 Apr 2022. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the official guidance or position of the United States Government, the Department of Defense, or of the United States Air Force.

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About Parallax Advanced Research & The Ohio Aerospace Institute  

Parallax Advanced Research is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects. More information on both organizations can be found at Parallax and OAI websites.