Date of Award
Summer 2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
First Advisor
Dr. Steven Puckett
Abstract
This dissertation investigates the cognitive and usability associations of mobile data terminal (MDT) systems used by law enforcement officers during routine operational tasks. Grounded in Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research examines how MDT interface design and interaction methods including AI-enhanced and speech-enabled interfaces are associated with perceived cognitive workload, technology acceptance, and operational performance during simulated traffic stop scenarios. Using a framed field experiment with active law enforcement officers, the study evaluates relationships among user experience, perceived cognitive load, task performance, and officers’ willingness to adopt MDT technologies.
Recommended Citation
Burchfield, Benjamin, "Cognitive Load in Law Enforcement Decision Support Systems: A Human-Centered Evaluation of Traditional and AI-Enhanced MDTs" (2026). Dissertations. 11.
https://roar.una.edu/dissertations/11
