ERIC Number: EJ728896
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Apr
Pages: 26
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0360-3989
EISSN: N/A
How Web Site Organization Influences Free Recall, Factual Knowledge, and Knowledge Structure Density
Eveland, William P., Jr.; Cortese, Juliann; Park, Heesun Park; Dunwoody, Sharon
Human Communication Research, v30 n2 p208-233 Apr 2004
Past research has demonstrated that nonlinear Web presentations (i.e., those that allow viewing in multiple orders) may lead to decreased free recall and learning of factual information compared to traditional, print-like linear Web designs. Recent evidence suggests, however, that nonlinear designs may facilitate learning of the interconnectedness of the presented information. This article presents experimental data from a combined sample of college students and adults (N=172) manipulating site design and motivation designed to test for these various learning effects and to examine the potential influence of two mediating variables: selective scanning and elaboration. The central finding is that linear site designs encourage factual learning, whereas nonlinear designs increase knowledge structure density (KSD). The effects of elaboration and selective scanning, however, are mixed.
Descriptors: Cognitive Structures, College Students, Web Sites, Recall (Psychology), Adults, Hypermedia, Knowledge Level
Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP UK. Tel: +44 1865-353907; Fax: +44 1865-353485; e-mail: jnls.cust.serv@oxfordjournals.org; Web site: http://hcr.oxfordjournals.org/.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A