Comparison of Alternative Methods of Tag Presentation on Chinese Websites

The purpose of this study was to investigate the unique characteristics of tag presentation on Chinese websites and their usability for Chinese users. A visual search experiment was conducted with 36 Mainland Chinese participants, who performed search tasks using six different tag presentation styles. Results indicated that, for the Mainland Chinese population, a tag layout with sorting is more effective than a randomly sorted one; but whether the tags are arranged in a vertical or horizontal list or a tag cloud does not affect their search performance. This study also found that the overall degree of satisfaction was not significantly different when the Chinese users interacted with a tag cloud or a tag list. The results of this research could provide insight for website designers when designing culturally and linguistically adapted human-computer interfaces for Mainland Chinese users

An Eye-Tracking Evaluation of Multicultural Interface Designs

Thesis advisor: James GipsThis paper examines the impact of a multicultural approach on the usability of web and software interface designs. Through the use of an eye-tracking system, the study compares the ability of American users to navigate traditional American and Japanese websites. The ASL R6 eye-tracking system recorded user search latency and the visual scan path in locating specific items on the American and Japanese pages. Experimental results found statistically significant latency values when searching for left- or right-oriented navigation menus. Among the participants, visual observations of scan paths indicated a strong preference for initial movements toward the left. These results demonstrate the importance of manipulating web layouts and navigation menus for American and Japanese users. This paper further discusses the potential strengths resulting from modifications of interface designs to correspond with such cultural search tendencies, and suggestions for further research.Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2005.Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Computer Science.Discipline: College Honors Program