Speed and accuracy of scale reading as a function of the number of reference markers

Abstract

The speed and accuracy of determining target position on a polar coordinate display as a function of the number of scale rings were investigated for displays ranging in diameter from 5 to 11 inches, with 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, or 40 scale rings. "Error of interpolation (in percentage of the total range of the display) decreased as a function of the number of scale rings used. The frequency of gross errors (misidentification of scale rings) and the time required to make readings increased as a function of the number of scale rings. Increasing display size improved interpolation accuracy slightly and decreased the frequency of gross errors markedly. Constant errors of interpolation were found to be a function of the position of the target between scale rings and also a function of the number of scale rings used." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)