Strategies for Building Integrated EPSS

Because the complex link and node structure awaiting users can lead them into becoming lost in hyperspace and cause them cognitive overload, navigating the hypertext system is often not an easy task, especially for novices. They may have difficulty perceiving a structure of an entire system, locating specific information, or using a navigational aid. This phenomenon can be expected to occur even more in the highly structured electronic performance support system (EPSS). Content providers and designers of Web-based integrated EPSS should know how to design interfaces and information structures based on content and purpose. This study analyzed four interface design methods (simple selection menu style, menu with global navigation, menu with global and local navigation, and pull-down menu) and four information structures (linear structure, grid, hierarchy, and network) in terms of the complexity, flexibility, navigation, domain knowledge, and cognitive load. Based on this analysis, guidelines for building the integrated Web-based EPSS effectively are provided. (Contains 28 references.) (Author/AEF)