| Chapter 1: | Study One: Introduction / Overview of Study Goals |
The third and fourth characteristics particularly add understanding to the study of the WWW as a learning environment and require further discussion.
The nonlinear structure of hypermedia allows the author to link together pieces of information in a way that should help the learner make connections. However, research has indicated that outcomes based on hypermedia use differ in terms of information seeking and learning.
For instance, researchers have encountered mixed results when studying the effects of nonlinearity on locating and learning information. McDonald and Stevenson (1996) compared three versions of hypermedia information presentation: A linear version using “back” and “next” buttons, a hierarchical version in which node connections specified a hierarchy of information, and a nonlinear version in which all nodes were connected to one another. Dependent variables for this study consisted of a series of tasks requiring participants to read and locate information, answer questions, and report on their experience using the system. Participants in the linear group outperformed those in the other two groups on all tasks except in their accuracy in answering questions. Participants also performed better using the hierarchical structure than when using the nonlinear structure, indicating that individuals performed better when more constraints were placed upon them. McDonald and Stevenson (1998a) conducted a similar study, this time using the hierarchy and nonlinear designs, but replacing the linear condition with a mixed condition. The mixed condition combined elements from the hierarchy and nonlinear condition in that it utilized the hierarchy structure in which nodes were connected to specified topics, but some of the nodes in the hierarchy were also connected across levels. Dependent variables for this study included browsing measures and navigation measures as indicators of ease of hypermedia use. Results indicated that those in the mixed condition displayed the most ease in using hypermedia systems.