Swiss Journal of Psychology. Special Issue: Studying the Internet: A challenge for modern psychology
Volume, Number, Page
Vol. 62
pp. 103-111
Published date
June 2003
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Abstract
Hypertext research results suggest that building a correct representation of the hypertext structure enables users to navigate effectively within the text. Therefore, text comprehension processes involved in hypertext reading should be investigated. In an experimental study, we differentiated the text structure from the dimensions of a postulated coherent situation model in order to compare them. Three electronic text versions, varying in navigational facility, and text structure visualization were compared with respect to orientation, navigation, eye movements, mental representation of text structure and content (situation model). Results demonstrate that when text structure visualization was unavailable, a reorganization of readers' representations of the text structure towards their situation model took place. Navigation within the text particularly effected mental representation of text structure and content.