The Impact of Color Graphic Report Formats on Decision Performance and Learning

One of the more common themes of the information systems literature involves the desirability of using graphics and col or to enhance the useful ness of reports and di spl ays. Very 1 ittl e empi rical research, however, has been di rected toward examining the real contribution of graphics and color to decision maker effectiveness; and, the findings of the few studies that have been undertaken are, at best, inconelusive. This paper reports on a laboratory experiment (using experienced internal auditors as subjects) that examines the contributions of color graphic outputs.on decision performance and learning. Significant resul ts were observed (controlling for individual differences) with color graphic reports proving advantageous with a simple, but not a compl ex, decl si on si tuati on