[Sigia-l] IA & Mental Models

[Leslie Carter]

Has anyone run across research connecting specific attributes of information
architecture to users' mental or conceptual models?  Donald Norman's
principles of good design which help users form accurate mental models:
visibility, mappings, & feedback (from "The Psychology of Everyday Things")
are certainly is related to information architecture.  However, I'm looking
for research on specific IA characteristics (e.g., labeling, navigation) and
user performance.  Seen any?

If this topic interests you, be sure to see Scott McDaniel's article at
Boxes & Arrows
http://www.boxesandarrows.com/archives/whats_your_idea_of_a_mental_model.php

Leslie Carter
Instructional Design
George Mason University