Structuring Job Related Information on the Intranet: An Experimental Comparison of Task vs. an Organization-Based Approach

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2007

Structuring Job Related Information on the Intranet: An Experimental Comparison of Task vs. an Organization-Based Approach

Reinier Cozijn ; Alfons Maes ; Didie Schackman ; Nicole Ummelen

Abstract

In this article, we present a usability experiment in which participants were asked to make intensive use of information on an intranet in order to execute job-related tasks. Participants had to work with one of two versions of an intranet: one with an organization-based hyperlink structure, and one with a task-based hyperlink structure. Efficiency and effectiveness were measured in terms of execution time and task accuracy, respectively. After the task execution, participants were asked to evaluate the task as well as the intranet. The results show that participants perform more efficiently with the organization-based structure, which is probably due to their familiarity with this structure. A post hoc analysis revealed, however, a learning effect in the task condition, which suggests that once users are acquainted with it, a task structure is at least as efficient.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 2007-04-01
DOI: 10.2190/382g-91t8-t06r-2l52
Topics: technical communication multilingual writers

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