Document (#15575)

Author

Toms, E.G.
Kinnucan, M.T.

Title

¬The effectiveness of the electronic city metaphor for organizing the menus of free-nets

Source

Journal of the American Society for Information Science. 47(1996) no.12, S.919-931

Year

1996

Abstract

Metaphors are used in the design of systems to ameliorate complxities, to exploit prior knowledge, and to enhace the user's understanding of the system. In this study, we examined the electronic city metaphor adopted by Free-Nets, the average citizen's medium for accessing electronic community information. The electronic city metaphor represents a categorized set of menus as buildings in a mythical city. To examnie this metaphor, we compared the performance of 2 groups of university student subjects who used a simulated Free-Net to find answers to simple factual questions. One group used an interface that embodied the electronic city metaphor, while the other group used an interface with labels composed from everyday language. Subjects used the simulated Free-Net in 2 sessions, about a week apart. Results were assessed using 3 performance measures: Number of top-level menu choices used, number of correct answers, and amout of time taken to respond to questions. Preference ratings were also obtained. Results indicated that both groups performed about equally in the first session, but that only the subjects who used the everyday language menu showed a learning effect over time. Subjects in both groups expressed a definite preference for the non-metaphor interface. The results raise questions about the utility of this type of metaphor, especially to represent categorized lists

Similar documents (author)

1. Kinnucan, M.T.: Fisheye views as an aid to subject access in online catalogues (1992) 2.45

   2.4505548 = sum of:
     2.4505548 = product of:
       4.9011097 = sum of:
         4.9011097 = weight(author_txt:kinnucan in 3067) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           4.9011097 = score(doc=3067,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.79168844 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1383693 = boost
               9.905128 = idf(docFreq=5, maxDocs=44218)
               0.070211954 = queryNorm
             6.190705 = fieldWeight in 3067, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               9.905128 = idf(docFreq=5, maxDocs=44218)
               0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=3067)
       0.5 = coord(1/2)
   

2. Kinnucan, M.T.: Statistical methods in information science research (1986) 2.45

   2.4505548 = sum of:
     2.4505548 = product of:
       4.9011097 = sum of:
         4.9011097 = weight(author_txt:kinnucan in 272) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           4.9011097 = score(doc=272,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.79168844 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1383693 = boost
               9.905128 = idf(docFreq=5, maxDocs=44218)
               0.070211954 = queryNorm
             6.190705 = fieldWeight in 272, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               9.905128 = idf(docFreq=5, maxDocs=44218)
               0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=272)
       0.5 = coord(1/2)
   

3. Burt, P.V.; Kinnucan, M.T.: Information models and modelling techniques for information systems (1990) 1.96

   1.9604437 = sum of:
     1.9604437 = product of:
       3.9208875 = sum of:
         3.9208875 = weight(author_txt:kinnucan in 344) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           3.9208875 = score(doc=344,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.79168844 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1383693 = boost
               9.905128 = idf(docFreq=5, maxDocs=44218)
               0.070211954 = queryNorm
             4.952564 = fieldWeight in 344, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               9.905128 = idf(docFreq=5, maxDocs=44218)
               0.5 = fieldNorm(doc=344)
       0.5 = coord(1/2)
   

4. Toms, E.G.: Free-Neets : delivering information to the community (1994) 1.66

   1.6611731 = sum of:
     1.6611731 = product of:
       3.3223462 = sum of:
         3.3223462 = weight(author_txt:toms in 579) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           3.3223462 = score(doc=579,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.6109251 = queryWeight, product of:
               8.701155 = idf(docFreq=19, maxDocs=44218)
               0.070211954 = queryNorm
             5.438222 = fieldWeight in 579, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               8.701155 = idf(docFreq=19, maxDocs=44218)
               0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=579)
       0.5 = coord(1/2)
   

5. Toms, E.G.: What motivates the browser? (1999) 1.66

   1.6611731 = sum of:
     1.6611731 = product of:
       3.3223462 = sum of:
         3.3223462 = weight(author_txt:toms in 292) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           3.3223462 = score(doc=292,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.6109251 = queryWeight, product of:
               8.701155 = idf(docFreq=19, maxDocs=44218)
               0.070211954 = queryNorm
             5.438222 = fieldWeight in 292, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               8.701155 = idf(docFreq=19, maxDocs=44218)
               0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=292)
       0.5 = coord(1/2)
   

Similar documents (content)

1. Golovchinsky, G.; Chignell, M.H.: ¬The newspaper as an information exploration metaphor (1997) 0.16

   0.16491926 = sum of:
     0.16491926 = product of:
       0.8245963 = sum of:
         0.015852416 = weight(abstract_txt:results in 1464) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.015852416 = score(doc=1464,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.05826718 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.2490493 = boost
               3.482422 = idf(docFreq=3693, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.27206424 = fieldWeight in 1464, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.482422 = idf(docFreq=3693, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=1464)
         0.06095977 = weight(abstract_txt:interface in 1464) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.06095977 = score(doc=1464,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.11351308 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.743374 = boost
               4.860628 = idf(docFreq=930, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.5370286 = fieldWeight in 1464, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               4.860628 = idf(docFreq=930, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=1464)
         0.049108002 = weight(abstract_txt:electronic in 1464) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.049108002 = score(doc=1464,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.14680633 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.5595543 = boost
               4.281712 = idf(docFreq=1660, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.33450875 = fieldWeight in 1464, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.281712 = idf(docFreq=1660, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=1464)
         0.033202745 = weight(abstract_txt:used in 1464) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.033202745 = score(doc=1464,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.12651303 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.8114064 = boost
               3.3592992 = idf(docFreq=4177, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.26244524 = fieldWeight in 1464, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.3592992 = idf(docFreq=4177, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=1464)
         0.66547334 = weight(abstract_txt:metaphor in 1464) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.66547334 = score(doc=1464,freq=4.0), product of:
             0.5880574 = queryWeight, product of:
               6.0613008 = boost
               7.24254 = idf(docFreq=85, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             1.1316469 = fieldWeight in 1464, product of:
               2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
                 4.0 = termFreq=4.0
               7.24254 = idf(docFreq=85, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=1464)
       0.2 = coord(5/25)
   

2. Berendt, B.: Spatial thinking with geographic maps : an empirical study (1998) 0.12

   0.122903906 = sum of:
     0.122903906 = product of:
       0.5120996 = sum of:
         0.012681932 = weight(abstract_txt:results in 6608) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.012681932 = score(doc=6608,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.05826718 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.2490493 = boost
               3.482422 = idf(docFreq=3693, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.21765138 = fieldWeight in 6608, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.482422 = idf(docFreq=3693, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=6608)
         0.018104866 = weight(abstract_txt:about in 6608) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.018104866 = score(doc=6608,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.07387496 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.4064238 = boost
               3.9211915 = idf(docFreq=2381, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.24507447 = fieldWeight in 6608, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.9211915 = idf(docFreq=2381, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=6608)
         0.058964815 = weight(abstract_txt:everyday in 6608) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.058964815 = score(doc=6608,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.14179641 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.5909429 = boost
               6.653462 = idf(docFreq=154, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.41584137 = fieldWeight in 6608, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.653462 = idf(docFreq=154, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=6608)
         0.03520985 = weight(abstract_txt:questions in 6608) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.03520985 = score(doc=6608,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.11510031 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.7555201 = boost
               4.8944926 = idf(docFreq=899, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.3059058 = fieldWeight in 6608, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.8944926 = idf(docFreq=899, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=6608)
         0.09026171 = weight(abstract_txt:subjects in 6608) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.09026171 = score(doc=6608,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.18833846 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.5930235 = boost
               5.4221253 = idf(docFreq=530, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.4792527 = fieldWeight in 6608, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               5.4221253 = idf(docFreq=530, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=6608)
         0.29687643 = weight(abstract_txt:city in 6608) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.29687643 = score(doc=6608,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.39197648 = queryWeight, product of:
               4.1823654 = boost
               6.996407 = idf(docFreq=109, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.7573833 = fieldWeight in 6608, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               6.996407 = idf(docFreq=109, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=6608)
       0.24 = coord(6/25)
   

3. Kurtenbach, G.P.; Sellen, A.J.; Buxton, W.A.: ¬An emprical evaluation of some articulatory and cognitive aspects of marking menus (1993) 0.12

   0.12174447 = sum of:
     0.12174447 = product of:
       0.76090294 = sum of:
         0.04216163 = weight(abstract_txt:performance in 5291) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.04216163 = score(doc=5291,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.068676904 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1072031 = boost
               4.63042 = idf(docFreq=1171, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.61391276 = fieldWeight in 5291, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               4.63042 = idf(docFreq=1171, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5291)
         0.16973777 = weight(abstract_txt:menu in 5291) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.16973777 = score(doc=5291,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.17380066 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.7613581 = boost
               7.3661537 = idf(docFreq=75, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.97662324 = fieldWeight in 5291, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               7.3661537 = idf(docFreq=75, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5291)
         0.33492914 = weight(abstract_txt:menus in 5291) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.33492914 = score(doc=5291,freq=4.0), product of:
             0.21701565 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.9681921 = boost
               8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             1.5433409 = fieldWeight in 5291, product of:
               2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
                 4.0 = termFreq=4.0
               8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5291)
         0.21407445 = weight(abstract_txt:subjects in 5291) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.21407445 = score(doc=5291,freq=5.0), product of:
             0.18833846 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.5930235 = boost
               5.4221253 = idf(docFreq=530, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             1.1366476 = fieldWeight in 5291, product of:
               2.236068 = tf(freq=5.0), with freq of:
                 5.0 = termFreq=5.0
               5.4221253 = idf(docFreq=530, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5291)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)
   

4. Su, S.-F.; Lancaster, F.W.: Evaluation of expert systems in reference service applications (1995) 0.10

   0.1028183 = sum of:
     0.1028183 = product of:
       0.3672082 = sum of:
         0.023298884 = weight(abstract_txt:group in 4014) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.023298884 = score(doc=4014,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.0763531 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.167442 = boost
               4.8823442 = idf(docFreq=910, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.30514652 = fieldWeight in 4014, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.8823442 = idf(docFreq=910, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4014)
         0.021965751 = weight(abstract_txt:results in 4014) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.021965751 = score(doc=4014,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.05826718 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.2490493 = boost
               3.482422 = idf(docFreq=3693, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.37698326 = fieldWeight in 4014, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               3.482422 = idf(docFreq=3693, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4014)
         0.034484055 = weight(abstract_txt:interface in 4014) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.034484055 = score(doc=4014,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.11351308 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.743374 = boost
               4.860628 = idf(docFreq=930, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.30378926 = fieldWeight in 4014, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.860628 = idf(docFreq=930, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4014)
         0.04979425 = weight(abstract_txt:questions in 4014) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.04979425 = score(doc=4014,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.11510031 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.7555201 = boost
               4.8944926 = idf(docFreq=899, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.4326161 = fieldWeight in 4014, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               4.8944926 = idf(docFreq=899, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4014)
         0.08001515 = weight(abstract_txt:menu in 4014) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.08001515 = score(doc=4014,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.17380066 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.7613581 = boost
               7.3661537 = idf(docFreq=75, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.4603846 = fieldWeight in 4014, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               7.3661537 = idf(docFreq=75, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4014)
         0.111643046 = weight(abstract_txt:menus in 4014) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.111643046 = score(doc=4014,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.21701565 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.9681921 = boost
               8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.514447 = fieldWeight in 4014, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4014)
         0.04600707 = weight(abstract_txt:used in 4014) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.04600707 = score(doc=4014,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.12651303 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.8114064 = boost
               3.3592992 = idf(docFreq=4177, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.3636548 = fieldWeight in 4014, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               3.3592992 = idf(docFreq=4177, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4014)
       0.28 = coord(7/25)
   

5. Trickey, K.V.: Information organisation on the Web? : it is basically about respect and trust (1998) 0.10

   0.10046133 = sum of:
     0.10046133 = product of:
       0.6278833 = sum of:
         0.031683516 = weight(abstract_txt:about in 769) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.031683516 = score(doc=769,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.07387496 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.4064238 = boost
               3.9211915 = idf(docFreq=2381, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.4288803 = fieldWeight in 769, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.9211915 = idf(docFreq=2381, maxDocs=44218)
               0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=769)
         0.061617237 = weight(abstract_txt:questions in 769) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.061617237 = score(doc=769,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.11510031 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.7555201 = boost
               4.8944926 = idf(docFreq=899, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.5353351 = fieldWeight in 769, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.8944926 = idf(docFreq=899, maxDocs=44218)
               0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=769)
         0.0687512 = weight(abstract_txt:electronic in 769) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.0687512 = score(doc=769,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.14680633 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.5595543 = boost
               4.281712 = idf(docFreq=1660, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.46831226 = fieldWeight in 769, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.281712 = idf(docFreq=1660, maxDocs=44218)
               0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=769)
         0.46583134 = weight(abstract_txt:metaphor in 769) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.46583134 = score(doc=769,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.5880574 = queryWeight, product of:
               6.0613008 = boost
               7.24254 = idf(docFreq=85, maxDocs=44218)
               0.013395625 = queryNorm
             0.7921528 = fieldWeight in 769, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               7.24254 = idf(docFreq=85, maxDocs=44218)
               0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=769)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)