Abstract
The paper focuses on guiding devices in print monolingual dictionaries for learners of English. It aims to find answers to six research questions. The main aim is to investigate how the location of guiding devices within entries — starting from a new line versus run-on — affects consultation time and sense selection accuracy of dictionary users in entry navigation. In addition, the paper looks at the effect that part of speech (noun versus verb entries) has on consultation time and sense selection accuracy; further, the relationship between entry length and consultation time is investigated, as well as that between consultation time and sense selection accuracy.
Highlights
1.1 Research on guiding devices in English monolingual learners' dictionariesEmpirical studies that deal with guiding devices in English monolingual learners' dictionaries are becoming increasingly common
The most important and practical research finding of this study is that no effect of GUIDING DEVICE POSITION on either CONSULTATION TIME or SENSE SELECTION ACCURACY was found
This is a null effect, the substantial sample size gives us some confidence that these hypothetical effects, even if present, are small in magnitude. This means that there is no evidence that adding new lines in an attempt to better signal new senses to the user adds further benefit, as the line breaks did not significantly improve either speed or success of consultation
Summary
Empirical studies that deal with guiding devices in English monolingual learners' dictionaries are becoming increasingly common. Two broad types of guiding devices have been used in English learners' dictionaries: (1) signposts, which briefly define their respective senses, with each signpost being placed next to its sense; and (2) menus, which form a list of sense cues appearing as a block at the top of the entry. In another study (1997), Tono found that LDOCE3 signposts are superior to CIDE guide words, especially with regard to the accuracy of sense selection and time needed for consultation; not necessarily so in the case of longer entries. This study touched upon sense positioning in entries, with the finding consonant with Nesi and Tan (2011) that dictionary users consulted entry-final senses the fastest. The study found a tendency for participants to identify longer target senses with greater success
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