Comparison of Abbreviation Methods: Measures of Preference and Decoding Performance

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the optimal method for abbreviating any specific set of words. Experienced sonar operators rated conventional, nonsystematically produced abbreviations as slightly better than simple truncation abbreviations, and as much better than contraction/vowels-out abbreviations in representing a set of words used on a modern sonar system. In the second experiment, subjects decoded different sets to evaluate the effects of abbreviation method and single versus multiple abbreviations of the same word. During training, when the precise endings of words had to be reported, fewer errors were made in the decoding of conventional abbreviations. During test trials, error rates were comparable, but the speed of decoding of the rule-based abbreviations improved more over trials. These findings are discussed in terms of word-abbreviation similarity and the ability of subjects to apply rule knowledge to aid in practiced decoding. Multiple abbreviations had no detrimental effects on decoding performance. Use of truncation is recommended to minimize costs in selection of abbreviations for new systems.