The problem of navigation in hypertext is quite often associated with (dis)orientation. We begin this article by making a review of several mechanisms to support navigation after having done a brief presentation of the phenomena “getting lost in the hyperspace.” To simplify and clarify our explanation we have assembled the various proposals of support to navigation into the following: 1) solutions regarding the tools to support navigation, 2) solutions regarding interface and navigation metaphors, and 3) solutions regarding hardware and other approaches to deal with this problem. The analyses made of each mechanism to support navigation intend to offer different points of view about the pros and cons of their use.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ConklinJ., Hypertext: An Introduction and Survey, IEEE Computer, 20:9, pp. 17–41, 1987.
2.
CampagnoniF.EhrlichK., Information Retrieval Using a Hypertext-Based Help System, ACM Transactions on Information Systems, 7:3, pp. 271–291, 1989.
3.
EdwardsD.HardmanL., Lost in Hyperspace: Cognitive Mapping and Navigation in a Hypertext Environment, in Hypertext: Theory into Practice, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 105–125, 1989.
4.
KibbyM.MayesJ., Towards Intelligent Hypertext, in Hypertext: Theory into Practice, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 164–172, 1989.
5.
McAleeseR., Navigation and Browsing in Hypertext, in Hypertext: Theory into Practice, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 7–37, 1989.
6.
McAleeseR., Overview and Questions for Readers, in Hypertext: Theory into Practice, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 1–5, 1989.
7.
BoyleC.SnellJ., Intelligent Navigation for Semistructured Hypertext Documents, in Hypertext: State of the Art, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 28–42, 1990.
8.
JonassenD.GrabingerR., Problems and Issues in Designing Hypertext/Hypermedia for Learning, in Designing Hypermedia for Learning, JonassenD.MandlH. (eds.), NATO ASI Series F: Computer and Systems Science, vol. 67, Heidelberg Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 3–25, 1990.
BernsteinM., The Navigation Problem Reconsidered, in Hypertext/Hypermedia Handbook, BerkE.DevlinJ. (eds.), Software Engineering Series, Intertext Publications, McGraw Hill Inc., New York, pp. 285–297, 1991.
11.
CastelliC.ColazzoL.MolinariA., Getting Lost in Hyperspace: Lessons learned and Future Directions, in Proceedings of ED-MEDIA 96: World Conference on Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, CarlsonP.MakedonF. (eds.), Boston, Massachusetts, June 17–22, AACE, Charlottesville, Virginia, pp. 124–130, 1996.
12.
GayG.MazurJ., Navigation in Hypermedia, in Hypertext/Hypermedia Handbook, BerkE.DevlinJ. (eds.), Software Engineering Series, Intertext Publications, McGraw Hill Inc., pp. 271–283, 1991.
13.
JonassenD., Hypertext as Cognitive Tools: Introduction, in Cognitive Tools for Learning, KommersP.JonassenD.MayesJ. T. (eds.), NATO ASI Series F: Computer and Systems Sciences, vol. 81, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 147–148, 1992.
14.
TrumbullD.GayG.MazurJ., Students' Actual and Perceived Use of Navigational and Guidance Tools in a Hypermedia Program, Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 24:3, pp. 315–328, 1992.
15.
TricotA., Stratégies de navigation et stratégies d'apprentissage: Pour l'approche expérimentale d'un probléme cognitif, in Actes des 2émes Journées Francophones “Hypermedia et Apprentissages,”Lille-France, Mars, pp. 24–25, 1993.
16.
GomesM., Navegação em Hiperdocumentos: Uma Abordagem Quantitativa, master Thesis in Education, University of Minho, Institute of Education, Portugal, Braga, 1994.
17.
KimH.HirtleS., Spatial Metaphors and Disorientation in Hypertext Browsing, Behaviour & Information Technology, 14:4, pp. 239–250, 1995.
18.
CastelliC.ColazzoL.MichL.MolinariA., Tests & Hypertexts: The HT-DEDALUS Project, Education in Computing-Newsletter, 3:2, pp. 65–74, 1991.
19.
SousaA., O Mapa de Navegação como Instrumento de Auxílio à Exploração de Ambientes Hipermédia, master thesis in education, University of Minho, Institute of Education and Psychology, Portugal, Braga, 1996.
20.
HammondN.AllinsonL., Extending Hypertext for Learning: An Investigation of Access and Guidance Tools, in People and Computers V: Proceedings of the Fifth Conference of the British Computer Society Human-Computer Interaction Specialist Group, DiaperD.WinderR. (eds.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 75–90, 1989.
21.
StantonN., Hypertext: Considerations, Concerns e Conclusions, in Integrating Learning Technology into the Curriculum, HolmesG. (ed.), proceedings of conference “The Integration of Computer Based Teaching Materials in Higher Education,” CTISS Publications, University of Oxford, Oxford, pp. 31–43, 1992.
22.
CanterD.PowellJ.WishartJ.RoderickC., User Navigation in Complex Database Systems, Behaviour & Information Technology, 5:3, pp. 249–257, 1986.
23.
AllinsonL.HammondN., A Learning Support Environment. The Hitch-Hiker's Guide, in Hypertext: Theory into Practice, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 62–74, 1990.
24.
HardmanL.SharrattB., User-Centered Hypertext Design: The Application of HCI Design Principles and Guidelines, in Hypertext: State of the Art, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 253–259, 1990.
25.
SmithS.MosierJ., Guidelines for Designing User Interface Software, Technical report ESD-TR-86-278, Mitre Corporation, Massachusetts, 1989.
26.
BrownC., Human-Computer Interface Design Guidelines, Ablex Publishing, New York, 1988.
27.
PreeceJ., Human Computer Interaction, Addison-Wesley, Wokingham, England, 1994.
28.
StarkH., What Do Readers Do To Pop-Ups, and Pop-Ups Do To Readers? In Hypertext: State of the Art, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 2–9, 1990.
29.
NielsenJ.LyngbaekU., Two Field Studies of Hypermedia Usability, in Hypertext: State of the Art, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford; pp. 64–72, 1990.
30.
ParunakH., Ordering the Information Graph, in Hypertext/Hypermedia Handbook, BerkE.DevlinJ. (eds.), Software Engineering Series, Intertext Publications, McGraw Hill Inc., pp. 300–325, 1991.
31.
PaapK.Roske-HofstrandR., Design of Menus, in Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction, HelanderM. (ed.), Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, New York, pp. 205–233, 1988.
32.
UttingK.YankelovichN., Context and Orientation in Hypermedia Networks, ACM Transactions on Information Systems, 7:1, pp. 58–84, 1989.
33.
McAleeseR., The Graphical Representation of Knowledge as an Interface to Knowledge Based Systems, in Proceedings of the 2nd IFIP Conference of Human-Computer Interaction—INTERACT 87, BullingerH. J.ShackelB. (eds.), Federal Republic of Germany, 1–4 September, Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, New York, pp. 1089–1093, 1987.
34.
JonesW., How Do We Distinguish the Hyper from the Hype in Non-Linear Text? in Proceedings of the 2ndIFIP Conference of Human-Computer Interaction—INTERACT 87, BullingerH. J.ShackelB. (eds.), Federal Republic of Germany, 1–4 September, Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, New York, pp. 1107–1113, 1987.
35.
SchroederE., Navigation through Hypertext: Navigational Technique, Individual Differences, and Learning, in Proceedings of Selected Research and Development Presentations at the 1994 National Convention of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, Nashville, Tennessee, 16–20 February, pp. 789–824, 1994.
36.
ReckerM., A Methodology for Analyzing Students' Interactions within Educational Hypertext, in Proceedings of ED-MEDIA 94: World Conference on Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, OttmanT.TomekI. (eds.), Vancouver, Canada, June 25–30, AACE, Charlottesville, Virginia, pp. 474–479, 1994.
37.
FossC., Tools for Reading and Browsing Hypertext, Information Processing & Management, 25:4, pp. 407–418, 1989.
38.
StantonN., Explorations into Hypertext: Spatial Metaphor Considered Harmful, Educational and Training Technology International, 31:4, pp. 276–294, 1994.
39.
WrightP., Hypertexts as an Interface for Learners: Some Human Factors Issues, in Designing Hypermedia for Learning, JonassenD. H.MandlH. (eds.), Series F: Computer and Systems Science, vol. 67, HeidelbergSpringer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 159–183, 1990.
40.
BeasleyR.WaughM., Cognitive Mapping Architectures and Hypermedia Disorientation: An Empirical Study, Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 4:2/3, pp. 239–255, 1995.
41.
StantonN.TaylorR.TweedieL., Maps as Navigational Aids in Hypertext Environments: An Empirical Evaluation, Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 1:4, pp. 431–444, 1992.
42.
FurnasG., Generalized Fisheye Views, Proceedings of CHI'86. ACM, New York; pp. 16–23, 1986.
43.
HutchingsG.HallW.BriggsJ.HammondN.KibbyM.McKnightC.RilleyD., Authoring and Evaluation of Hypermedia for Education, Computers & Education, 18:1/3, pp 171–177, 1992.
44.
BairdP.PercivalM., Glasgow Online: Database Development Using Apple's HyperCard, in Hypertext: Theory into Practice, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 75–92, 1989.
45.
HammondN.AllinsonL., The Travel Metaphor as Design Principle and Training Aid for Navigation around Complex Systems, in People and Computers III: Proceedings of the Third Conference of the British Computer Society Human-Computer Interaction Specialist Group, DiaperD.WinderR. (eds.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 75–90, 1987.
46.
HammondN.AllinsonL., Travels Around a Learning Support Environment: Rambling, Orienteering, or Touring, in CHI'88 Conference Proceedings, SolowayE.FryeD.SheppardS. B. (eds.), ACM, New York, pp. 269–273, 1988.
47.
CanterD.RiversR.StorrsG., Characterizing User Navigation through Complex Data Structures, Behaviour & Information Technology, 4:2, pp. 93–102, 1985.
48.
MahonyK., Navigation Round Hypertext, Working Paper K7, Alvey Fortune Project, Computing Laboratory, University of Kent, Canterbury, 1988.
49.
BenestI., A Hypermedia System With Controlled Hype, in Hypertext: State of the Art, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 53–63, 1990.
50.
BrondmoH.DavenportG., Creating and Viewing the Elastic Charles—A Hypermedia Journal, in Hypertext: State of the Art, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 43–51, 1990.
51.
WoodheadN., Hypertext e Hypermedia: Theory and Applications, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, Massachusetts, 1991.
52.
MayesT.KibbyM.AndersonT., Signposts for Conceptual Orientation: Some Requirements for Learning from Hypertext, in Hypertext: State of the Art, McAleeseR.GreenC. (eds.), Intellect Limited, Oxford, pp. 121–129, 1990.
53.
LandowG., Popular Fallacies about Hypertext, in Designing Hypermedia for Learning, JonassenD. H.MandlH. (eds.), NATO ASI Series F: Computer and Systems Science, vol. 67, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 39–59, 1990.
54.
StantonN.BaberC., An Investigation of Styles and Strategies in Self-Directed Learning, Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 1:2, pp. 147–167, 1992.
55.
DiasP.SousaA., Understanding Navigation and Disorientation in Hypermedia Learning Environments, Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 6:2, pp. 173–185, 1997.
56.
MarchioniniG.ShneidermanB., Finding Facts vs. Browsing Knowledge in Hypertext Systems, IEEE Computer, 21:1, pp. 70–80, 1988.
57.
LévyP., Les Technologies de L'Intelligence: L'Avenir de la Pensée à L'Ére Informatique, Éditions La Découverte, Paris, 1990.
58.
PattersonJ.EgidoC., Videobrowsing and System Response Time, in People and Computers III, DiaperD.WinderR. (eds.), Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 189–198, 1987.
59.
GayG.TrumbullD.MazurJ., Designing and Testing Navigational Strategies and Guidance Tools for a Hypermedia Program, Journal of Educational Computing Research, 7:2, pp. 189–202, 1991.
60.
KerrS., Wayfinding in an Electronic Database: The Relative Importance of Navigational Cues vs. Mental Models, Information Processing & Management, 26:4, pp. 511–523, 1990.
