An Evaluation of Computer-Supported Backtracking in a Hierarchical Database

This study was designed to investigate whether computer-supported backtracking tools reduced navigation time over manual backtracking and to compare navigation times among a subset of four backtracking tools. Each tool was evaluated in the context of an experimental, hierarchical, direct-manipulation database. Trials consisted of an information retrieval task requiring subjects to answer multiple-choice questions about the contents of the database. The independent variables included the backtracking tool and the backtrack navigation Task Length. The dependent measures included navigation time, the frequency with which the computer tool was selected and used over manual backtracking (a Table of Contents), and questionnaire responses. Backtracking with any of the four computer-supported tools resulted in a significantly reduced navigation time over manual backtracking using the Table of Contents. When provided with a history list, subjects had significantly smaller navigation times when backtracking at the higher of two levels in the database hierarchy. There were no differences between computer tools in rated efficiency, ease of use, or objective or subjective preference measures.