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Website Navigation Structures: Eliciting Mental Models Using Card Sorting

Ramchand, Tasneem (2024) Website Navigation Structures: Eliciting Mental Models Using Card Sorting.

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Abstract:This study aims to gain insights into the relationship between mental models and navigation structures, providing valuable insights and recommendations for more intuitive and user-aligned municipality websites. To examine the extent to which existing navigation structures on municipality websites align with its users’ mental models, the first objective is to determine the average mental model. This was conducted using an open and remote card sorting technique. The results were then analysed by cluster analysis and the mental model was represented by seven clusters, five ambiguity groups, and six isolated items. The second objective is to assess the alignment between the elicited mental model and an existing navigation structure. To do so, a visual comparative analysis was conducted against the municipality website of Amsterdam. Despite some differences, the website structure was revealed to have a moderate level of alignment with the elicited mental model. In the case of misalignment, design recommendations were proposed to bring the navigation structure closer to users’ mental model. Limitations aside, this research contributes to a current gap in literature towards optimal navigation structures for municipality websites. Future research is recommended to conduct a usability assessment of proposed structure and include a more extensive set of items.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:54 computer science, 70 social sciences in general, 77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/98034
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