4. Study 2
4.1. Research questions and hypotheses
After establishing to what extent the effects we found for
American undergraduate students were also found for German
graduate students, Study 2 aimed to decompose the effects of the
design elements color and shape by examining them in separate
designs. In particular, we asked:
Hypothesis 4. Do the design elements color and shape in a
multimedia learning material individually induce positive emotions
in learners? Based on the previous research reported above
we hypothesize that the warm colors induce more positive emotions
than neutral colors, and that round face-like shapes induce
more positive emotions than neutral shapes.
Hypothesis 5. How do the design elements color and shape individually
affect cognitive outcomes such as invested mental effort,
perceived task difficulty, and learning outcomes (comprehension
and transfer)? Based on previous research we hypothesize that
warm colors result in higher comprehension test scores, transfer
test scores, and invested mental effort, and lower perceived task
difficulty than neutral colors, and, likewise, that round, face-like
shapes result in higher comprehension test scores, transfer test
scores, and invested mental effort, and lower perceived task difficulty
than neutral shapes.
Hypothesis 6. How do the design elements color and shape individually
affect affective outcomes such as motivation, user satisfaction,
and perception about learning achievement? Based on
previous research we hypothesize that warm colors result in higher
motivation, higher user satisfaction, and a more positive perception
about learning achievement than neutral colors, and that round
face-like shapes result in higher motivation, higher user satisfaction,
and a more positive perception about learning achievement
than neutral shapes.
4.2. Method
4.2.1. Participants and design
Participantswere 103 students recruited fromaGerman university.
There were 11 male and 92 female participants, and all of them were