A Deeper Look at the NASA TLX and Where It Falls Short

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) task load index (TLX) is the most used tool for measuring mental workload. The tools widespread use is associated with its pedigree, and its simplicity of application and interpretation. However, the NASA TLX has been criticized for not measuring the mental construct it purports to measure. The particular claim is that the NASA TLX does not measure perceived mental workload, instead it measures perceived task difficulty. The authors explored this claim using a simple spatial memory task. The results were analyzed with polynomial hierarchical regression. The NASA TLX failed the test of construct validity and, the sub-components each had random interpretations depending on the participant. The second point is particularly troubling, as many system designs could be based on random, non-causal relationships. Both these observations raise doubts in toward the use of the NASA TLX as a calibrated instrument for human factors engineering.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1177/1541931218621010
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/15419312
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2018 by Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
• Authors:
  • McKendrick, Ryan D
  • Cherry, Erin
• Publication Date: 2018-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 44-48
• Serial:
  • Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
  • Volume: 62
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Sage Publications, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 2169-5067
  • EISSN: 1071-1813
  • Serial URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/home/pro

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Human factors engineering; Perception; Regression analysis; Workload
• Identifier Terms: U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01707792
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 12 2019 9:18AM