Emerging Needs and Opportunities for Human Factors Research (1995) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
7 Information Access and Usability
7 Information Access and Usability
Pages 200-219
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 200... ...
. A number of trends associated with the evolution of an information society beg attention from the human factors community.
|
From page 201... ...
, (4) the advanced graphics capabilities that make direct manipulation interfaces and data visualization possible (Newby, 1992)
|
From page 202... ...
Electronic information databases are becoming more common in everyday private life. With the purchase of a modem and an on-line service, the average person can use a personal computer to tap into large databases at home and carry on many personal activities directly (e.g., make airline reservations, shop at home, conduct bibliographic searches)
|
From page 203... ...
DATABASE REPRESENTATION ISSUES Restricted Domains The most structured information-representation domain, and the one most readily studied from a human factors viewpoint, is one in which the knowledge pertains to the functioning of a single, well-structured system -- a restricted domain. Examples include the on-line help system for a wordprocessing system, the airline flight reservation systems (Boehm-Davis et al., 1992)
|
From page 204... ...
For example, a database may be organized in a strict hierarchical fashion, but navigational tools may allow the user to directly access any node in the database from any other node with a single command, thus bypassing the hierarchical relationships. This contrast is closely related to that between menu-driven search and key word search.
|
From page 205... ...
Also, search questions were generally goal-directed, which means that results may be inappropriate for understanding browsing behavior. Research is still needed on how to organize both the structure and the navigational tools in a way that is compatible with both the users' mental model of the database and the task-defined needs to access the information in a particular sequence.
|
From page 206... ...
. Major design challenges still confront the human factors community in addressing how such maps can spatially represent the vast number of nodes and entries in large databases in a way that allows the user to visualize the full structure readily (Mackinlay et al., 1991; Shneiderman, 1987)
|
From page 207... ...
In order to generate sets and subsets of information items, a user constructs a query statement that is then compared against a document representation via some information retrieval technique (Belkin and Croft, 1987)
|
From page 208... ...
Successful prototype systems to date have already automated many of the mechanical aspects of the search process that were problematic for users. Examples include guidance in connecting to an on-line service or database, downloading results, and translating the user query into a Boolean statement (Hawkins, 1988)
|
From page 209... ...
Much of the behavior involved in human-computer interaction is covert. If we are to explore information retrieval behavior within a research paradigm reflecting realistic operational settings and constraints, we must identify and use nontraditional techniques (e.g., verbal protocol analysis, critical incident technique; Flanagan, 1954)
|
From page 210... ...
Our discussion of fluid domains has focused on the information search process. As in restricted domains, it is reasonable to suppose that search performance will be supported if effective graphic displays to support visualization of the database are available.
|
From page 211... ...
Scientific Visualization The availability of massive amounts of scientific data in domains such as meteorology, geology, demographics, and microbiology, coupled with the power of computer graphics, has enabled the scientist to visualize data in a variety of sophisticated forms (Zorpette, 1989)
|
From page 212... ...
Cognitive Task Analysis Some research effort must be devoted to carrying out comprehensive task analyses of users interacting with complex databases. This includes users of complex, ill-structured information databases performing tasks of a browsing nature as well as scientists attempting to gain insight from complex data (Langley et al., 1987)
|
From page 213... ...
When, in short, is consistency better than flexibility? Methodology In order to grasp the intricacies underlying information retrieval in all three domains, we must continue to develop and assess ways to explore user behavior in contexts reflecting realistic operational constraints.
|
From page 214... ...
Are some display dimensions best for representing categorical, rather than continuous, semantic dimensions? • The issue of spatial representation is closely tied to the related concept of virtual reality (Eglowstein, 1990; Pausch, 1991)
|
From page 215... ...
Daniels, and N.J. Belkin 1986 Research on information interaction and intelligent information provision mecha nisms.
|
From page 216... ...
Peters 1985 Heuristics for online information retrieval: a typology and preliminary listing. Online Review 9(5)
|
From page 217... ...
Latremouille, S., and E.S. Lee 1981 The design of videotex tree indexes: the use of descriptors and the enhancement of single index pages.
|
From page 218... ...
Newby, G.B. 1992 An Investigation of the Role of Navigation for Information Retrieval.
|
From page 219... ...
Cooper 1989 Use of the Critical Incident Technique to Evaluate the Impact of MEDLINE. Final Report AIR-64600-9/89-FR; NLM/OPE-90/01.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.