Keyword-menu retrieval: an effective alternative to menu indexes

Abstract

A major application of computer videotex systems is in providing access to general information for the public. Typically, information is retrieved from such systems using the menu page (or tree) method. However, findings with the major national and other systems have indicated that users have difficulty using the menu page method. A consistent finding has been that the top pages of the systems are a major source of error. The present paper proposes that providing keyword indexes as an adjunct to menus may allow users to bypass the top levels of a tree index and thus improve performance and satisfaction. The paper reports two experiments which test the feasibility of this keyword-menu method of retrieval. The first experiment simulated such a system, and found that keywords improved performance over menu-only retrieval. The second experiment tested the method on an operational Telidon system. The addition of a small keyword index (250 items) improved user performance and satisfaction. The study indicated that the addition of a limited keyword directory is likely to enhance menu retrieval for novice users. This should be true for computer retrieval in general as well as for videotex systems.