Performance Errors in Virtual Work: Separating Display and Input Device Effects of a Virtual Environment Interface System

Psychomotor performance involves a closed-loop interaction of motor control and perception. A 3D virtual environment (VE) system inserts technology in both the motor side (input device) and perceptual side (viewing system) that will affect task performance. Often performance studies associated with VE systems will compare input devices or viewing systems without considering the affect of other components on performance. This may create a problem in the attribution of the absolute magnitude of effect that can be assigned to a single subsystem/device in a VE system. This paper presents a data analysis strategy and procedure to address the attribution problem. The procedure is described and illustrated with data from a comparative device study involving a 3D virtual environment system. Benefits and limitations of the strategy are discussed.