Predicting and Preventing Procedural Errors

We can predict when people will make specific types of procedural errors (a post-completion error like forgetting to attach a document to your email).  We can predict with quite high accuracy when someone will make these post-completion errors on at least two different tasks. We are also able to prevent errors before they occur by using a combination of our prediction algorithm, knowledge of the task, and a blatant environmental cue.

This work is in collaboration with Raj Ratwani

Primary References

Ratwani, R. M., McCurry, J. M. & Trafton, J. G. (2008). Predicting post completion errors using eye movements. Computer Human Interaction 2008 (CHI 2008).  PDF

Ratwani, R. M., & Trafton, J. G. (2009). Developing a predictive model of postcompletion errors. Proceedings of Cognitive Science 2009 [Winner of the 2009 Cognitive Science Conference Applied Cognition Modeling Prize].  PDF

Trafton, J. G., Altmann, E. M., & Ratwani, R. M., (2009). A memory for goals model of sequential action.  International Conference of Cognitive Modeling, 2009.  PDF

Other Relevant References

Altmann, E. M. & Trafton, J. G. (2002). Memory for goals: An activation-based model. Cognitive Science. 26(1), 39-83.  PDF

Altmann, E. M. & Trafton, J. G. (2007). Timecourse of Recovery from Task Interruption: Data and a Model. Psychonomics Bulletin and Review, 14(6), 1079-1084. PDF

Contact:
Greg Trafton

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