The workstation for individual studies is a highly specialised research environment within the DesignLab. Here, analyses of cognitive processes and stresses during the execution of development activities are possible. The focus is on the time-synchronised analysis of cognitive stresses that occur during the execution of tasks in product development. Physiological measurement methods such as eye tracking and facial expression analysis are available.

Examples of applications in various fields of research are:

• Visual attention:
  • Investigation of the distribution and focussing of attention on different sources of information and work materials.
• Cognitive load:
  • Measurement of stress during specific development activities, e.g. problem analyses, conceptual designs or decision-making processes.
• Development methodology:
  • Analysing the effects of development tools and methods on cognitive load.
• Information processing and decision making:
  • Identification of challenges and bottlenecks in the cognitive processing of complex information.