Computer menu design: An investigation of the interface between user characteristics and menu structure

Abstract

The present study investigated the interrelationship between specific user characteristics and hierarchical menu structures. Four menu structures were used, which varied in breadth from 2 to 64 and depth from one to six (26, 43, 82, 641) Previous research, investigating both speed and accuracy across different menu structures, has shown that deep menus tend to have slow search times and the greatest number of errors (Miller, 1981; Snowberry, Parkinson, & Sisson, 1983). However, the research to date has failed to investigate, in any detailed way, the relationship between specific user characteristics and performance across different menu structures. In the present study, the relationship between digit span, visual scanning, state anxiety and performance across the four menu structures was investigated. The findings supported previous research, in that fewer errors were made and search times were fastest for the broadest menus. In addition, it was found that individuals with low short-term memory capacity and those with high-state anxiety required more practice to reduce errors on deep menu structures. It is suggested that adequate consideration of user characteristics in the design of menu displays, through the implementation of help functions or on-line learning, may greatly improve user performance on menu driven tasks.