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A study on the effectiveness of maps and content lists in aiding navigation and decreasing disorientation

Authors: McDonald, S. & Stevenson, R. J. (1998)

Abstract: A study on the effectiveness of hypertext, contents lists and spacial maps in hypertext navigation and disorientation. The study found that maps were far more effective in aiding navigation for specific information than contents lists, and that simple hypertext was the least effective of the three.

In order to minimise some of the negative effects of disorientation, a number of navigational aids have been developed. These aids work by allowing users to review and preview their progress through hypertext. This relates to concepts by Fleming, Nielsen and Lynch on providing feedback. But again it contrasts with some survey results and comments by Tognazzini that orientation is not as important in a web context than generally believed. Research has shown that hypertext users can and do make use of a variety of navigational aids. The tools studies were guided tours, and index and a map. Subjects made extensive use of the tools, and reported that they found them easy to use. In addition, subjects used the tools strategically, in a task directed manner. For example, the map was commonlty used during browsing, and the study of partially familiar material, whereas the index was used more often during information search. The important issue is that the diversity in study results reaffirms the need to be user-centric when designing a site structure (Fleming, Norman, Nielsen, SRI). Fleming suggests establishing a series of profiles which reflect different styles of users, and then designing systems and pathways to meet the needs and motivations of those various users.

Spatial navigation maps tackle the problem of disorientation by allowing users to gain an understanding of the relationships that lie within the system, and by helping them gain a sense of their own location relative to other parts of the hypertext.

The study found that in a test situation while knowledgeable users of information were able to correctly answer most questions no matter what method (spatial map, contents list or hypertext) they used, non-knowledgeable users had a significant drop in success rate from spatial map to contents list, and again to hypertext. What was interesting was that using a spatial map bridged any navigation disadvantage of not being knowledgeable about the material. Times were fastest with the map, next fastest with the contents list and slowest with basic hypertext. Users used the map for browsing far more than for information retrieval - where the contents list usage increased. The suggestion is that maps are most useful when gaining familiarity with new material.

Subjects whohad used the map reported having experienced fewer navigational problems than subjects who had used the contents list, who in turn, reported fewer navigational problems than those using basic hypertext.

The performance of hypertext users may suffer because they must simultaneously focus on the task in hand, such as retrieving information, and on orienting themselves in the space. In other words, they must decide which routes will satisfy their information goals, execute these routes, keep track of digressions,and also monitor what information they have already viewed. Navigational aids reduce this load on the user's working memory by helping them with the task of orientation. This is a critically important issue raised by Norman in his discussions on knowledge transfer and learning. Norman says he detests having to relearn, and Fleming says navigation should be easily relearned. The study results here tend to support opinion.

The textual contents lists simply provides the user with an indiction of what meterial is in the document, it does not offer guidance on the particular route the user should follow in order to arrive at their destination. The map, however, allows users to gain an overview of the available information,and because it depicts the relationships between various nodes, and allows users to plan and execute routes through the document. This proposition fits neatly with Fleming's concept of allowing for diversity of task and user. The question is, are some styles of map more or less effective than others in meeting with planning and executing scenario?