Use of Real-Time Probes for Measuring Situation Awareness

This study examined the validity of real-time probes as measures of situation awareness (SA). Real-time probes are verbal queries (derived from an SA requirements analysis) posed to the operator concurrent with operations. Mixed results were obtained. A weak but significant correlation was found between real-time probes (both accuracy and latency measures) and Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique queries, indicating that real-time probes were measuring some facet of SA. However, correlations with workload were also found, and this correlation needs to be investigated further. Although real-time probes show promise, more research is needed to assess the utility of real-time probes as a metric of SA.