Searching versus browsing in hypertext
Hypermedia
A systematic approach to outline manipulation
International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
The effects of visible link-types on learning in the hypertext environment: an empirical study
Computers in the Schools - Special issue: multimedia and megachange—new roles for educational computing, part 2
An evaluation of different navigational tools in using hypertext
ICC&IE '94 Proceedings of the 17th international conference on Computers and industrial engineering
The myth of navigating in hypertext: how a “bandwagon” has lost its course!
Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia
Understanding navigation and disorientation in hypermedia learning environments
Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia
Spatial versus conceptual maps as learning tools in hypertext
Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia
Effects of content representation and readers' prior knowledge on the comprehension of hypertext
International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
Interacting with hypertext: a meta-analysis of experimental studies
Human-Computer Interaction
The influence of leads on cognitive load and learning in a hypertext environment
Computers in Human Behavior
Construction of cognitive maps to improve e-book reading and navigation
Computers & Education
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In this article, the effect of a local, content (as opposed to structure) oriented navigation tool is investigated, i.e. mouse-over hyperlink previews. A usability experiment is described in which three groups of participants were exposed to three different versions of a website: without hyperlink previews, with content oriented, semantic previews, and with task-oriented, pragmatic previews. Participants were asked to execute search and recall tasks, and to evaluate task and hypertext. The results showed a decisive overall advantage for previews in terms of efficiency, but no effects on effectiveness or appreciation. Although semantic and pragmatic previews did not differ significantly, a post hoc analysis showed a learning effect of pragmatic previews that was absent in the semantic preview condition. It was concluded that previews fit in with the step-by-step goal orientation of hypertext users. Once users are acquainted with them, pragmatic previews speed up decision making. Apart from the experimental part, the article surveys research into the usability of navigation tools, thereby focusing on the analysis of navigation tools. The bottom line of this review is that most navigation tools as they are used in the experiments provide users with different types of information, e.g. local vs. global, content vs. structure oriented. This complicates the unequivocal explanation of their effect and may explain, together with user and task differences, the variety and inconsistencies observed in the results.