The Effects of Case and Spacing on Menu Option Search Time

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of spacing and case (use of upper- or lowercase letters) on search time for menus presented on a contemporary high resolution PC display. Twenty Bellcore staff members, all experienced computer users, were presented two sets of four menus each (representing the combinations of case and spacing). Search time was recorded and participants were asked for their preferences among the four menu styles. Analysis of variance results indicated that double-spacing yielded significantly shorter search times in both menu sets. Although case was significant only for the first menu set, a significant case by spacing interaction for the second set indicated that double-spacing had more effect on search time for uppercase options than for lowercase options. Preference data also indicated that 85% of the participants preferred the double-spaced menus.

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