Hypertext and Cognition

<p>The recent evolution of western societies has been characterized by an increasing emphasis on information and communication. As the amount of available information increases however the user -- worker student citizen -- faces a new problem: selecting and accessing relevant information. More than ever it is crucial to find efficient ways for users to interact with information systems in a way that prevents them from being overwhelmed or simply missing their targets. As a result hypertext systems have been developed as a means of facilitating the interactions between readers and text. In hypertext information is organized as a network in which nodes are text chunks (e.g. lists of items paragraphs pages) and links are relationships between the nodes (e.g. semantic associations expansions definitions examples -- virtually any kind of relation that can be imagined between two text passages). Unfortunately the many ways in which these hypertext interfaces can be designed has caused a complexity that extends far beyond the processing abilities of regular users. Therefore it has become widely recognized that a more rational approach based on a thorough analysis of information users' needs capacities capabilities and skills is needed. This volume seeks to meet that need.<br><br> From a user-centered perspective -- between systems and users -- this volume presents theoretical and empirical research on the cognitive processes involved in using hypertext. In so doing it illustrates three main approaches to the design of hypertext systems: <br> *cognitive which examines how users process multilayered hypertext structures; <br> *ergonomical which explores how users interact with the design characteristics of hardware and software; and <br> *educational which studies the learning objectives frequency and duration of hypertext sessions type of reading activity and the user's learning characteristics. <br><br> This volume also tries to provide answers for the questions that have plagued hypertext research:<br> *What is hypertext good for? <br> *Who is hypertext good for? <br>*If it is useful for learning and instruction then what type? <br> *What particular cognitive skills are needed to interact successfully with a hypertext system? Anyone interested in the fields of computer science linguistics psychology education and graphic design will find this volume intriguing informative and a definitive starting point for future research in the field of hypertext.</p>