[Sigia-l] Research about closeness of content and navigation?

[Marius van Dam]

Dear IA's,

When I just signed up I saw some discussion about the manners of the 
people on the list, and someone suggested that every newcomer would be 
allowed to ask three stupid questions. If you consider my questions 
stupid, please think of that! :)

I'm working on a paper which talks about the role of writers in the 
creation of website, and the role of the characteristics of the 
hyperlink and multi-linearity in trying to shape a coherent online 
experience.

My question is if people know of some relevant texts on the following 
topics:
-  research which deals with users preference of either a separation of 
content and navigation or a convergence of the two.
-  the concept of coherence and how it relates to web pages linked 
together. (if this makes sense: I'm trying to find out all the ways in 
which (the content of) the nodes that build up an experience for the 
user are connected, but especially those that reside in written words)

I'd also like to ask you people another question that's relevant to me:

In your company, how is the text in a website created? In what phases, 
and by whom?
  (you can answer off-list if you want)

Any other comments (for instance, if you have an opinion about the 
relevance of the subject) are also welcome.

Thanks! It would really help me a lot.

Marius

PS: This is my first message to this list. I'm a student of 'Digital 
Media Design' from the Netherlands, and hopefully graduating in three 
months. After that I'll continue building our web company of four, 
called Splandigo. I'm the (big)ia person in the team.