User Behaviour in Web-Based Interactive Virtual Tours

In this work, user behaviour characteristics were investigated for a web-based virtual tour application in which 360° panoramic images were used. There exist several options for the user to navigate in the museum (interactive floor plan, links in the images and pull-down menu). Written and audio information about the sections visited, detailed information for some artworks and several control functions are provided at the webpage. 15 participants undertook the usability test and they filled a post-experiment questionnaire. The main research questions were: Which option of navigation is preferred? At what rate are the written information area, audio information option and extra artwork information used? Which way of control (mouse, keyboard, panel buttons) is preferred? Results showed that the floor plan is the most preferred way for changing the location and pull-down menu is the least preferred. Another finding is that the mouse is the most preferred way for control functions.