Abstract
Research on the effectiveness of concept maps used as interfaces for knowledge-based information search has yielded
inconsistent results. Simply representing content structures in a visual-spatial format has not resulted in higher performance or
more positive usability ratings as compared to traditional interfaces. The assumption behind the study presented here is that the
potential for semantic cueing of task-relevant information has not yet been fully exploited. An experiment was performed to
study the effects of semantic cueing. Two types of interfaces, a digital concept map and a digital concept list, were compared. In
the concept map condition, visual-spatial highlighting of category relations, as well as verbally labelled links for cueing semantic
relations, were used for cueing correct decisions on the task-relevance of information resources. In the concept list condition only
visual-spatial highlighting was used. The results showed that users of both interfaces showed no significant differences when
resources had to be localized on the basis of category relationships. However, significant differences showed up when semantic
(functional) relationships had to be taken into consideration. The results corresponded well with the usability ratings by the
subjects. The overall conclusion is that digital concept maps may serve as powerful interfaces for enhancing information search
if their inherent potential for semantic cueing of relevant resources is exploited in a task-appropriate manner.
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