The effects of the availability of menu information during command learning in a word processing application
Simon P. Davies, Anthony James Lambert, John M. Findlay · Behaviour and Information Technology · 1989
An experiment is reported investigating the transition from relying on an external memory aid for system commands, provided by a permanently visible menu, to relying on internal memory for commands. Menu availability, and the method of command entry (keyboard vs. mouse) were manipulated during the early stages of learning the basic commands required to operate a word processing application. It was found that a group which always had the benefit of a memory aid provided by a menu performed no more efficiently than a group never provided with a menu. A group initially provided with a menu, which was then withdrawn performed significantly more slowly, and with more recourse to help facilities than the latter group. When the menu was permanently visible there were no performance differences between the keyboard and mouse methods of command entry. Implications of these findings for interface design are discussed.