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Memory and Site Structure. ITC 200. Concept of +/- Seven. Remember: this study focused on unassisted “recall” -- otherwise known as memorization Most web sites include memory aids The quality of the memory aid is another discussion!. Information Structure.
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Memory and Site Structure ITC 200
Concept of +/- Seven • Remember: this study focused on unassisted “recall” -- otherwise known as memorization • Most web sites include memory aids • The quality of the memory aid is another discussion!
Information Structure • For web sites, information structure is usually more important than the “+/- 7” rule • Chunk data • Impose order where there is none (number, alpha sequence)
Task Analysis • To effectively structure your information - you have to know what your web site customers want to do on your site! • This is also known as task analysis
A Real Life Example • The next slide is a screen capture of a drop-down menu on the Washington State Attorney General’s web site • Notice how structure has been created • Can you easily make a selection from the (considerably longer than seven) list? Why or why not?
Secondary Links • Do you like the way the designer treats the secondary drop-down link in the following screen capture? Why or why not?
Link Consistency • On the following slide, does the lack of consistency in link wording confuse? Why or why not? • Does the lack of consistency in number of links in drop-down versus category index page confuse? Why or why not?
Resources • Anything by Edward Tufte • User and Task Analysis for Interface Design • Information Exploration and Visualization : http://www.awl.com/dtui/chapters/ch15.html • Task Analysis Tutorial: http://uml.tutorials.trireme.com/uml_tutorial_4_1.htm • User-Centered Analysis and Conceptual Design: http://www.humanfactors.com/training/useroriented.asp • Web Site User-Centered Design: http://www.internettg.org/newsletter/june98/user_requirements.html