Kanji Retrieval by Recursive Location of Elements Using HyperCard

Abstract

There are a number of Japanese-English computer dictionaries. However, they do not provide the Japanese language student with an adequate means of retrieving kanji (Chinese characters). The study here outlines the implementation and evaluation of a computer-based kanji finder. The electronic kanji finder was implemented on a Macintosh using HyperCard, with regard to student needs, based on sound pedagogical and human factor principles. An evaluation of the implementation based on a comparison of the retrieval methods of a traditional dictionary was made, giving students access to both the computer-based dictionary and Nelson's paper kanji dictionary. The two retrieval methods were compared based on human factors criteria. The results of the comparison show that the electronic dictionary has several features which are better than the traditional paper dictionary. The findings go against previous research which show that electronic fact retrieval is worse than traditional retrieval using reference books (B. Shneiderman, 1987). The conclusion discusses some of the implications of the results for students of Japanese.