The menu metaphor: food for thought

Norman, Kent L.; Chin, John P.

doi:10.1080/01449298908914545

Cited by 17 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In addition, menu selection systems reduce training and memorization, simplify entry of choice, and structure the user's tasks (Schneiderman, 1986). Selection in traditional menuing systems employs a restaurant menu metaphor to help users transfer their implicit knowledge and intuition about menus to control computer processes (Norman & Chin, 1989; Norman, 1991). Not withstanding the claim that the role of metaphor in human problem‐solving procedures is not obvious and may even limit learning a new interface (Gentner & Nielsen, 1996), previous research does indicate the usefulness of interface metaphors, so metaphors cannot be overlooked in understanding users' stereotypical activities (Anderson, 1995; Apple Computer, 1992; Carroll & Mack, 1985).…”

Section: Menu‐based Interfacementioning

confidence: 99%

User‐process model approach to improve user interface usability

Gluck

2005

J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci.

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Our purpose in this study is to inductively reorganize software interface menu items based on a user's process model. The proposed menu interface in this study used direct users' input, such as goals and strategies for solving their information needs, to reorganize and re-label menus. To assess its effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with actual users, we implemented and compared this new menu version to the original interface that was based upon a traditional categorical menu organization. The significance of this study is that it incorporates user process modeling into the design of the user interface, providing insights into the impact of such modeling on the usability of an information system. Results from the usability testing do indicate that the proposed menu and the traditional menu are similarly effective for users in terms of task completion time and accuracy. User preferences and debriefing comments from usability testing also indicate users preferred the user-process based arrangement of menu items as displayed. However, the types of tasks (different problem type) suggest significant differences for results in task completion time and in accuracy, sometimes favoring the new version. In other words, usable and effective menu organization depends more on the types of tasks and the domain of knowledge than mere menu organization, although menu organization is a factor in the process.

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Section: Menu‐based Interfacementioning

confidence: 99%

User‐process model approach to improve user interface usability

Gluck

2005

J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci.

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“…We have investigated the metaphor of menu selection as a way of choosing between alternatives in computer interfaces and have even related computer menus to restaurant menus (Norman and Chin 1989). We found interesting differences and similarities between computer and restaurant menus in terms of layout, clustering, and order of items.…”

Section: Metaphors and Apparencymentioning

confidence: 97%

Laboratory for automation psychology and decision processes

Norman

2004

Cogn Process

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“…We have investigated the metaphor of menu selection as a way of choosing alternatives in computer interfaces and have even related computer menus to restaurant menus [13]. We found interesting differences and similarities between computers and restaurants in terms of layout, clustering, and order of items.…”

Section: Metaphors and Apparencymentioning

confidence: 99%