- Tasks are affected by preceding tasks and complexity-level is an important factor in mediating the effects of the chain type
- L tasks took less time when preceded by same-operation microtasks
- H tasks were perceived as less demanding when preceded by same-content microtasks 
- Initial microtasks perceived to be more helpful to final task in H task chains
- L task chains perceived to be more enjoyable

Wake Forest University

- Results of Continuity study
- Results of Transitions study
- Results of Ease in study

Chain Reactions: The Impact of Order on Microtask Chains--Results

Cai, C. J., Iqbal, S. T., &amp; Teevan, J. (2016). Chain Reactions: The Impact of Order on Microtask Chains. Proceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. https://doi.org/10.1145/2858036.2858237 

Chain Reactions: The Impact of Order on Microtask Chains

Chain Reactions: The Impact of Order on Microtask Chains--Results, Continuity

- Complexity of initial microtasks matter and their helpfulness was perceived differently depending on complexity of final task
- Same-complexity chains lead to faster completion of final task (for both H and L)
- For chains ending in an H task, same-complexity chains perceived to be more helpful
- H-only tasks less enjoyable than L-only tasks
- No evidence that transitioning between complexities negatively affects performance when compared to starting immediately on final task

Chain Reactions: The Impact of Order on Microtask Chains--Results, Transitions

- Lead-up/preceding microtasks had variable effects on the final microtask depending on their properties
- Participants initiated typing on final task sooner when they first completed M tasks on same content (initiated sooner)
- Completing L tasks on same content lead to participants feeling greater sense of momentum going into final task
- Participants felt more mentally warmed up when first completing L tasks of same content when compared to completing L tasks of different content 
- No difference in final task completion time

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