Online information retrieval with and without subheadings

Author

Hood, Teresa L. ; Jorgensen, Linda

Author_Institution

IBM Corp., Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

fYear

1996

fDate

18-20 Sep 1996

Firstpage

203

Lastpage

208

Abstract

The study assessed the effects of headings in online information retrieval. In particular, it looks at single versus multiple (3) headings and text-character versus graphic-character based texts on a single display screen. Twenty participants read a single screen technical document formatted in each of four conditions: single and triple graphic headings and single and triple text headings. Multiple headings did not show improved retrieval times over single headings. However, text headings resulted in faster retrieval times than graphic headings. We conclude that content of headings serves an organizational function for the reader of online text

Keywords

information retrieval; graphic-character based texts; online information retrieval; online text reader; retrieval times; single display screen; single graphic headings; single screen technical document; single text headings; subheadings; text-character based texts; triple graphic headings; triple text headings; Computer displays; Design methodology; Documentation; Frequency; Graphics; Information management; Information retrieval; Labeling; Materials testing; Navigation;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Professional Communication Conference, 1996. IPCC '96 Proceedings. Communication on the Fast Track., International

Conference_Location

Saratoga Springs, NY

Print_ISBN

0-7803-3689-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IPCC.1996.552598

Filename

552598