BibTex
@inproceedings{Kellar:2006:,
author = {Kellar, Melanie and Watters, Carolyn and Shepherd, Michael},
title = {The impact of task on the usage of web browser navigation mechanisms},
booktitle = {Proceedings of Graphics Interface 2006},
series = {GI 2006},
year = {2006},
issn = {0713-5424},
isbn = {1-56881-308-2},
location = {Qu{\'e}bec, Qu{\'e}bec, Canada},
pages = {235--242},
numpages = {8},
publisher = {Canadian Human-Computer Communications Society},
address = {Toronto, Ontario, Canada},
}
Abstract
In this paper, we explore how factors such as task and individual differences influence the usage of different web browser navigation mechanisms (e.g., clicked links, bookmarks, auto-complete). We conducted a field study of 21 participants and logged detailed web browser usage. Participants were asked to categorize their web usage according to the following schema: Fact Finding, Information Gathering, Browsing, and Transactions. Using this data, we have identified three factors that play a role in the use of navigation mechanisms: task session, task type, and individual differences. These findings have implications for the future design of new and improved web navigation mechanisms.