Examining age differences in performance of a complex information search and retrieval task

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Cognitive Psychology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Complex information search and retrieval tasks are crucial in many professions, including customer service.
• Understanding how age impacts performance in these tasks is vital for workforce management and design.
• The influence of prior task experience and underlying cognitive abilities on performance requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine age-related differences in performing a complex information search and retrieval task.
• To investigate the effect of task experience on performance across different age groups.
• To explore the relationships between cognitive abilities and task performance in an aging population.

Main Methods:

• A simulated real-world information search and retrieval task was developed.
• 117 participants were divided into three age groups: younger (20-39), middle-aged (40-59), and older (60-75).
• Participants performed the task over three consecutive days to assess the impact of experience.

Main Results:

• Significant age differences were observed in most task performance measures.
• Navigational efficiency and the number of problems correctly solved per attempt did not show significant age differences.
• Task experience positively influenced performance, and cognitive abilities were significantly related to task outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Age impacts performance on complex information tasks, but specific skills like navigational efficiency may be preserved.
• Task experience can mitigate some age-related performance declines.
• Cognitive abilities are key predictors of success in information search and retrieval tasks across the lifespan.