Findings from a study of users' multitasking searches on Web search engines include: multitasking searches are a noticeable user behavior; multitasking search sessions are longer than regular search sessions in terms of queries per session and duration; both Excite and AlltheWeb.com users search for about three topics per multitasking session and…

Discussion of formatting and disseminating information in the developing world focuses on efforts of Ethiopia's Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), a membership-driven research network. Describes plans to distribute a digital CD-ROM library that incorporates a user-friendly interface and provides…

Reviews the international research evidence on the ways in which information and communication technologies (ICT) are used in both formal and informal pre-school settings. Addresses the debate over the value and desirability of young children using computers and computational toys; relationship to the media environment; literacies involved; and…

This article compares cognitive processing between natural and artificial language (AL) use and utilizes psycholinguistics for building a cognitive model of the AL user. Discussion covers observations concerning common ground, optimal design, collaborative processes, generalization, and incremental parallel production. Inquiries like this may lead…

Focuses on human behavior in the information-seeking process, and identifies behaviors influencing the design of information retrieval system interfaces. Discusses the principles of saturation, concreteness, least resistance, familiarity, stimulation, certainty, simplicity, and following-form. (PEN)

This focus group study explored library patrons' opinions about Texas A&M library's Web pages. Discusses information seeking behavior which indicated that patrons are confused when trying to navigate the Public Access Menu and suggests the need for a more intuitive interface. (Author/LRW)

Describes MusiCat, an experimental user interface designed in Denmark that reflects the different ways that patrons think when searching for musical material on the Web. Discusses technology versus content; search trees that use a hierarchy of subject terms; and usability testing. (LRW)

Presents a framework for the study of hypertext. First, a historical perspective on the evolution of hypertext is provided. Next, hypertext system components are presented, and relevant psychological and pedagogical issues are analyzed. Finally, a framework for the study of hypertext, with implications for theory, research, and development, is…

Examines the connection between symptoms commonly related to severe mental illness in individuals, and compares it to the presence of potential "psychic triggers" identified as attributes found in the design and use of virtual reality. (Author/AEF)

Proposes four design principles of an information access system that link information sources regardless of implementation medium, information structure, or interface style. Provides examples from an undergraduate course in information science at the University of California at Los Angeles. (Author/AEF)

Examined the use of the TREC Information Retrieval Test Collection for evaluating visual information retrieval interfaces (VIRI). Found that TREC data sets were suitable as development tools for VIRIs and traditional information retrieval systems and that the computational cost of organizing data into useful visual fields were high and related to…

Discusses the pros and cons of selecting Apple Macintosh computers versus a personal computer that runs the Windows platform. Graphical user interfaces, current and future support, and aesthetics are considered, as well as personal preferences. (LRW)

Discusses human/computer interaction research, human/computer interface, and their relationships to information literacy. Highlights include communication models; cognitive perspectives; task analysis; theory of action; problem solving; instructional design considerations; and a suggestion that human/information interface may be a more appropriate…

This study of Israeli kindergarteners examined gender differences in the preferences to varying designs of multimedia learning interfaces in interactive multimedia stories. Highlights include a taxonomy of design of efficient user interfaces and the use of Lampert's Attitude Pollimeter to determine students' opinions. (Contains 19 references.)…