INTERACTING WITH SONIFICATIONS: AN EVALUATION

The aim of the experiment described in this paper is to evaluate and compare three different methods for interacting with an algorithm for the sonification of data streams. The experiment was carried out using an existing Interactive Sonification Toolkit as a high fidelity prototype. The experiment focused on measuring and comparing the efficiency and effectiveness of three interaction methods which differ in the degree of real-time control allowed to the user. Subjects were also asked to answer a questionnaire which gathered information about their perception of using the different interaction methods. The experiment shows that the method providing the lowest degree of real-time control to the user is the least efficient. This method is also perceived to be the least pleasant, fast, clear and intuitive. There are no significant differences in terms of effectiveness and efficiency for the remaining two methods both in terms of objective measures and user perception. Finally the method allowing a medium degree of control to the user is judged to be significantly more pleasant than the others. [Keywords: interaction, sonification, evaluation] 1