An eye-tracking study on the importance of consistent terminology

• Using inconsistent terminology, e.g. having different terms in documentation and e.g. labels and menu items in a user interface is believed to be confusing to users. However, few empirical studies exist on this particular topic. In this paper we show how users' interaction with an interface is affected by inconsistent terminology. An experimental eye-tracking study with 30 participants was conducted where the participants were shown a user interface and a task description. The terminology in the interface and task description was manipulated to be either consistent or inconsistent. The results show that terminological inconsistencies led to a significantly higher number of visual fixations, more time needed to perform the task, and more returns to the task description. The conclusion is that inconsistent use of terms create unnecessary cognitive workload for the user that can be avoided by ensuring terminological consistency within a system.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Språkteknologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Language Technology (hsv//eng)

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)