Adaptation in Information Search and Decision-Making under Time Pressure

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation research was to understand how people adapt their information search and decision-making processes and outcomes under time pressure. The goal of the first study was to create and evaluate decision-making tasks; the results were also used to empirically set the task time limit for the main study. The primary goal of the second study was to investigate the impact of time constraints and time pressure on behavioral, cognitive and affective aspects of the search and decision-making processes and outcomes. A mixed methods research design was used in both studies. Quantitative data analysis methods were used to analyze logged search interactions, eye-tracking data, and questionnaires to gain insights into participants' perceptions of the tasks, their search and decision processes, and their decisions. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze participant's recommendation decisions for their specificity and accuracy. In Study 2, seven hypotheses were tested to evaluate the impact of time constraints on processes, outcomes, and time perceptions. Participants without a time limit spent almost exactly 5 minutes on the task and participants with a 5-minute time limit spent under 3 minutes although this difference was not significant. There were no significant differences in search behaviors between time conditions. Time-constrained participants who made a recommendation quickly were less likely to recommend a specific option, but there were no overall differences in recommendation specificity. Time-constrained participants felt higher time pressure, greater time inadequacy, and greater time monitoring with moderate levels of search activity. They perceived a faster task pace, although there were no differences in the average time spent on pages. Time-constrained participants did not find it more difficult to search or make a decision, but they did find it less difficult to decide whether to search. They also did not find it more difficult to decide when to stop and make their decision, and they did not think that they had less adequate information.Doctor of Philosoph