Abstract
Increased use of information databases has not been reflected in research in the field of HCI. Experiments that have been conducted often relate to abstract tasks rather than to tasks that users will actually perform. Twelve subjects completed realistic tasks in a nested hierarchical experimental design that used two conditions, Selective Retreat or Restricted Retreat, with two task types, Simple or Complex, that were either Interrupted or Not Interrupted. Results indicated that: the provision of a trace of selections significantly enhanced navigation; active search time was very variable; and Interruptions do affect users behaviour in the post interruption period. The small number and type of subject in this pilot study necessitates a cautions interpretation of the results. However, an interesting area of research with direct application to everyday use of computer systems has been broached. Some of the implications of this study and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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