Title
Web navigation structures in cellular phones: the depth/breadth trade-off issue
Abstract
One can browse the web with a variety of devices, including hand-held devices such as the cellular phone. The small screen of those devices poses some serious usability issues, one of which is the appropriate hierarchy depth of the web site. In this study, we empirically examined whether a broad navigation structure, which was found to be superior in regular screen-size platforms, also has an advantage for a small-screen device such as the cellular phone where it may require more movements and scrolling between screens of the same hierarchical level. Navigation times and success rates were measured for two search tasks in a mock web site that was built in two versions: one with a broad navigation structure and the other with a deep structure. Both structures were tested with cellular phone emulation and a standard desktop personal computer (PC). Results indicate that performance was better with the broad navigation structure for both the cellular phone and the PC. In addition, performance was better with the PC as compared to the cellular phone, and this difference was pronounced in the broad structure. The results are discussed in terms of the impact of device-independent characteristics of the hierarchy depth along with the theoretical account of increased working memory load, confusion and disorientation associated more with deep structures.
Year
DOI
Venue
2004
10.1016/j.ijhcs.2003.10.010
International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
Keywords
Field
DocType
working memory,web navigation
Confusion,Computer science,Usability,Personal computer,Phone,Emulation,Human–computer interaction,Scrolling,Web navigation,Hierarchy,Multimedia
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
60
5
1071-5819
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
17
1.31
18
Authors
2
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Avi Parush119822.17
Nirit Yuviler-gavish2323.91