Understanding the Contextualization of Information in Complex Military Decision Spaces

One of the central challenges associated with developing situational understanding originates at the information level. The simple fact is while all information may be created equal, the value of that information is not. Confounding this challenge is the fact that the true value of information is dependent not only on its source and latency, but just as importantly on the context in which it is being exercised. Towards this end, this paper presents a multi-faceted experiment meant to discern how Soldiers weigh the value of information against seven contextual variables under varying military scenarios. Initial results reveal that contextual variables play a significant role in how information is valued and more importantly provide a foundation for developing tailorable information strategies, increasing situational awareness, and reducing information- and cognitive-overload.