Maps or Analogies? A Comparison of Instructional Aids for Menu Navigation

Abstract

We investigated the relative efficacy of a variety of spatial maps and analogies as instructional aids for the learning and navigation of hierarchical data bases. Subjects performed single- and multi-node retrieval tasks with novel data bases. The results of Experiment 1 indicated that subjects who studied an analogy prior to performing data retrieval tasks were less affected by increasing search distance than were subjects who studied a spatial map. The results of Experiment 2 suggested that the benefits of analogy relative to other instructional aids increased as time passed between initial instruction and interaction with the data base. A comparison of the findings in Experiments 1 and 2 indicated that “generic” analogies, which can be applied to a number of data bases, are as effective as more specific, literal similarities. The findings are discussed in terms of models of analogy as well as implications for the design of instructional materials for data base navigation.

Virtual hierarchies and virtual networks: some lessons from hypermedia usability research applied to the World Wide Web

“…These include studies of orientation and navigation (e.g. Wright & Lickorish, 1989;Webb & Kramer, 1990), comparisons of hypertext and other formats (e.g. Gray & Shasha, 1989;Beard & Walker, 1990;Leventhal, Teasley, Instore, Rohlman & Farhat, 1993) and investigations into the relationship between task type and information structure (Rada & Murphy, 1992;Mohageg, 1992).…”

“…However, it is suggested here that the concept of ''errors'' is inappropriate for a hypertext system which is specifically designed to facilitate browsing and exploration. Deviations from an ''optimal'' path required to complete a task have also been considered as a measure (Simpson & McKnight, 1989;Webb & Kramer, 1990;Mohageg, 1992) but this still discourages exploration. Nevertheless, it can be useful to consider what users are doing when they deviate from such a path.…”

Understanding and facilitating the browsing of electronic text

“…In parallel initiatives, browsing research has taken a strong developmental focus. Problems are resolved with tools such as overview maps of hypertext links and nodes (Hammond & Allinson, 1987), electronic bookmarks (Billingsley, 1982;Webb & Kramer, 1990), history lists (Foss, 1989), guided tours (Hammond & Allinson, 1987), "sh-eye views (Gecsiu & Martin, 1989), thumbnail sketches (Nielsen, 1990) and three-dimensional graphical techniques (Mackinlay, Robertson & Card, 1991;Williamson & Shneiderman, 1992;Rada, Wang & Birchall, 1993;Card, Robertson & York, 1996). All purport to aid the information seeker.…”

Presenting a Submenu Window for Menu Search on a Cellular Phone

“…There have been a number of studies on the aiding tool to support menu search (Billingsley, 1982;Han & Kwahk, 2000; E. S. Lee & MacGregor, 1985;Mayson-Maddison & Lee, 1982;Roske-Hofstrand & Paap, 1986;Snowberry, Parkinson, & Sisson, 1983Webb & Kramer, 1987, 1990. Roske-Hofstrand and Paap showed that the users can benefit from highly redundant links among nodes.…”