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An Empirical Investigation of the Effects of Decision Aids on Problem‐Solving Processes *
Author(s) -
Mackay Jane M.,
Barr Steve H.,
Kletke Marilyn G.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
decision sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.238
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1540-5915
pISSN - 0011-7315
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-5915.1992.tb00410.x
Subject(s) - decision aids , decision problem , decision support system , computer science , task (project management) , empirical research , management science , decision analysis , evidential reasoning approach , optimal decision , decision process , decision engineering , business decision mapping , operations research , decision tree , artificial intelligence , mathematics , medicine , economics , statistics , alternative medicine , management , pathology , programming language
Despite the growing number of investigations examining decision support systems (DSS), relatively few empirical studies have evaluated the effects of DSS on problem‐solving processes. This study uses protocol analysis to investigate the impact of a specific decision aid on problem‐solving processes in a semi‐structured problem. Results indicate that decision aids influence the problem‐solving processes of decision makers. The effect of a decision aid is found to be contingent on familiarity with the decision aid, task familiarity, and the interaction of these two factors. Suggestions for incorporating interaction effects and problem‐solving processes into future examinations are proposed.