Effects of audio feedback types on waiting time while rebooting a system


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Creator/Artist: Nebin Biju

Category: Interaction Design

Document: Design Research

Batch: 2016-2020

Source: India,   IDC IIT Bombay

Period:  2019-onwards

Medium: Report pdf

Supervisor: Prof. Swati Pal


Detailed Description

Waiting time plays an important role in the user experience of a system. Research has shown that the right amount of wait time has a massive impact on the overall success of a product. Providing users with the right feedback during wait time is hence important. This study examines the effects of audio feedback types on users perceptions of waiting time while rebooting a personal computer. Three types of audio feedback—slow beep sound, fast beep sound, and running water sound—were used with 2s, 7s, 15s, and 20s to evaluate the impact of users perception of waiting time, degree of worth waiting for, and degree of pleasure. Results showed that the users’ time perceptions and wait evaluations were affected by the feedback types and were consistent with the attention-gate model theory proposed by Zakay and Block. The perceived error time also varied with feedback type and wait time. Design recommendations were made from the study in regards to designing audio feedback types while designing for wait times.