The Effects of Hypertext on Reader Knowledge Representation

Abstract

The goal of this research was to evaluate the effects of hypertext as an intra-document text format. Subjects read two articles on a color VDT, one in linear and one in hypertext format. Half of the subjects read general interest articles with instructions for casual reading and the other half read technical articles with instructions to learn the material. Afterward, subjects were given free recall tests, question probe tests, and a preference questionnaire. Results indicated that for both types of article, the linear format resulted in greater memory for the basic ideas contained in the articles. Also, for the general interest articles, subjects reading in linear format assimilated more of the macro-structure than subjects reading in the hypertext format. Consistent with these findings, a majority of the subjects expressed a preference for the linear format and perceived it as requiring less mental effort than reading hypertext. These results suggest that, at least under some circumstances, hypertext can interfere with normal cognitive processes.

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