To link or not to link? Empirical guidance for the design of nonlinear text systems

Susan H. Gray; Dennis Shasha

doi:10.3758/BF03205603

To link or not to link? Empirical guidance for the design of nonlinear text systems

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We compared the effectiveness of two versions of the NetBook data model for nonlinear text-one with links and one without. Users who accessed information through specifications based on properties and values alone performed better than users who employed such specifications as well as hypertext links. Protocol analysis revealed that hypertext links were useful when a subject's specifications were unspecific but correct. However, hypertext could rarely compensate for inaccurate specifications. Design recommendations are included.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	326-333
Number of pages	8
Journal	Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers
Volume	21
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03205603
State	Published - Mar 1989

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Psychology (miscellaneous)
Psychology(all)

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10.3758/BF03205603

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abstract = "We compared the effectiveness of two versions of the NetBook data model for nonlinear text-one with links and one without. Users who accessed information through specifications based on properties and values alone performed better than users who employed such specifications as well as hypertext links. Protocol analysis revealed that hypertext links were useful when a subject's specifications were unspecific but correct. However, hypertext could rarely compensate for inaccurate specifications. Design recommendations are included.",

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To link or not to link? Empirical guidance for the design of nonlinear text systems

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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