[Sigia-l] IA research?

[John Fullerton]

>>> "Peter VanDijck" <pvandijck at lds.com> 04/26/04 02:34PM >>>

> Good examples! Still, I stand by my point, I just can't think of a
good
> reason.

A few factors for why IA research may be helpful--

One example-the benefits and problems with hierarchical menus that was
discussed recently-seems to go well with the idea that individuals
working in the field may not have awareness of all issues with a design
option. In the discussion a number of people contributed to what seemed
to me a more complete understanding. Academic research may not address
the most practical questions (should I use JavaScript?) yet some
understanding, and for me new understanding, is gained through hearing
of others' research. 7+-2 items in menus (Miller) and the benefit of a
border on the PC where the pointer stops (Tognazzini) are two
considerations that I don't think I will forget. (I'm not saying that
these guidelines are absolutes.)

There is a utility for relevant statistics. It can be felt when we
wonder what browsers users are using to access a site. Someone will have
to research or plan in advance to get that information.

Today I saw a screen of a user interview with the pointer indicating
the user's effort to navigate the site. That study can be research.

It's possible that we can find out some things with less
research-oriented information. But how does someone get their
research-addressed question answered now when they don't already know
the answer?

Have a nice day
John Paul Fullerton
j-fullerton at tamu.edu