An empirical evaluation of knowledge, cognitive style, and structure upon the performance of a hypertext task

In an effort to reduce navigation difficulties, recent research suggests that user characteristics need to be considered when designing a hypertext document. This study evaluated the effects of an individual's cognitive characteristics in conjunction with the nature of the hypertext task. Subjects of varying levels of knowledge and cognitive style, specifically field independence/field dependence, utilized a hypertext document to answer explicitly and inherently structured questions. Among other findings, experienced field‐dependent subjects’ performance was less than that of experienced field‐independent subjects’, specifically when explicit structure was provided. The results suggest that the existing knowledge structure of experienced field‐dependent subjects may conflict with explicitly structured hypertext. Implications for the appropriate design of hypertext systems are discussed.

[1]  Richard J. Koubek,et al.  Toward a Model of Knowledge Structure and a Comparative Analysis of Knowledge Structure Measurement Techniques. , 1991 .

[2]  James E. McDonald,et al.  Hypertext perspectives: using pathfinder to build hypertext systems , 1990 .

[3]  Kenneth A. Kiewra,et al.  Cognitive Style: Effects of Structure at Acquisition and Testing. , 1986 .

[4]  Jakob Nielsen,et al.  Hypertext and hypermedia , 1990 .

[5]  Andrew S. Patrick,et al.  Conversational hypertext: information access through natural language dialogues with computers , 1989, CHI '89.

[6]  R C Williges,et al.  Assaying and Isolating Individual Differences in Searching a Hierarchical File System , 1987, Human factors.

[7]  Mark Chignell,et al.  Browsing Models for Hypermedia Databases , 1988 .

[8]  Robert J. Glushko,et al.  Transforming text into hypertext for a compact disc encyclopedia , 1989, CHI '89.

[9]  R. Kozma,et al.  Individuality in learning. , 1978 .

[10]  Roger W. Schvaneveldt,et al.  Measuring the Structure of Expertise , 1985, Int. J. Man Mach. Stud..

[11]  Sallie E. Gordon,et al.  Knowledge Engineering for Hypertext Instructional Systems , 1990 .

[12]  Ruth B. Ekstrom,et al.  Manual for kit of factor-referenced cognitive tests , 1976 .

[13]  Stephan A. Konz,et al.  Work Design: Industrial Ergonomics , 1983 .

[14]  Ben Shneiderman,et al.  Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction , 1998 .

[15]  Anne Nicol.  Interface Design for Hyperdata: Models, Maps and Cues , 1988 .

[16]  Sallie E. Gordon,et al.  Enhancing Hypertext Documents to Support Learning from Text. , 1992 .

[17]  Herman A. Witkin,et al.  Cognitive styles in personal and cultural adaptation , 1977 .