Some effects of menu characteristics and user personality on performance with menu-driven interfaces

Abstract

Abstract User performance with menu-based systems was studied. Three experiments concerning the effects of menu structure, menu breadth, menu system depth, several support facilities and user personality characteristics on user performance, measured in terms of search time and accuracy, are reported. The main findings are that performance is affected by menu structure, the depth of the menu system, the presence of escape facilities, the structure of the alternatives within the menu, some methods of informative support and certain personality characteristics. Some expensive support facilities are found to have no effect. The results are discussed in relation to problems of menu interface design.