Efficacy of a map on search, orientation and access behaviour in a hypermedia system

Many researchers have proposed hypertext and hypermedia as superior learnin g environments over traditional linear-based approaches. At the same time, reports of disorientation amongst students working in these environments ha s become a topic of major concern. The study reported in this paper sets ou t to investigate the efficacy of the provision of maps on students' ability to search, orientation and access information in a hypertext-based learnin g task. The domain used required students to learn about the theory of tect onic plates. The results indicate that the greater use of maps led to less relevant searching behaviour and less effective search effort. In conclusio n, it is argued that the concept of the spatial metaphor has not served the designers and students of hypertext and hypermedia environments well. Furt her, it is proposed that designers of non-linear learning environments woul d be better served by concentrating on the fundamental usability of their s ystems rather than attempting to introduce navigational aids, which themsel ves are a symptom of poor design. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.