ABSTRACT
In the larger field of human-computer interaction or user interface design, cognitive systems engineering is part of the larger ongoing quest to make the interface between organic and electronic systems smoother, friendlier, and more productive. Chignell’s user interface taxonomy locates cognitive engineering in the larger endeavor. The first branch reflects the view that the user interface is composed of the seven fundamental components: actions, behaviours, contexts, displays, effects, forms and goals. The second branch of the tree is cognitive engineering. This refers to the process of applying the models and findings of cognitive science to the task of analyzing and designing user interfaces. The cognitive engineering branch is broken down into three sub-branches: cognitive science, normative models and descriptive models. The next branch of the tree to be dealt with is interface engineering. This is the portion of the user interface research taxonomy which deals with guidelines and approaches for interface design (engineering).
