Hypertext Analysis and Design Model

(source: my thesis- improving learning ability through hypertext system)

Thuring et al have proposed an approach to examine the component of a coherent hypertext document. This rule is applicable as a hypertext author guidance to analyze components in a document that will be acquired in hypertext development. There are three components to be analyzed – the content element, the organizational element, and the presentation element [Thuring et al, 1991] .

1. The content element

The contains of content elements are content nodes that store information and content links that join the content nodes. As generating the content element, two subsequent design rules can be applied:

1. Combination content nodes should be used to hierarchically structure the content of the document into domain specific sub-units of information.

2. The label of a link should be as specific as possible and should constitute a comprehensible sentence together with the names of the source and destination nodes.

In the scope of this research paper, Stapleton [1987] said that the basis characteristic of an academic text could be structured into five parts. These parts, then, become the contents nodes.

1. Title: to attract the reader at first scan in the database list.

2. Abstract: to stimulate the expert to read the paper and supplies the casual reader with definite information.

3. Figures and tables: to summarize the results to the person scanning the article.

4. Results: to give more detail research explanation. It consists of introduction, materials, methods, research results, discussion and references.

5. Rest of paper: read for information such as appendixes, authorship, copyright, and guarantee of material.

2. The organizational element

Organizational element is a drawing object of document by structuring the arrangement under a reader’s viewpoint [Thuring, 1991]. The following rules can be applied while creating the organizational element:

1. Choose an appropriate starting point to serve as an introduction to the document.

2. Construct appropriate paths based on reader’s interest and knowledge by using sequencing and exploration nodes and links.

3. The presentation element

The presentation element is dealt with the arrangement of structure and content of the document and provides the navigation tools. Three presentation types that have been identified for scientific writing:

1. Textual type that limited to the word or alphabetical content nodes.

2. Graphical type that presents the content and structure of document graphically.

3. Combined type is to present content and organizational element more comprehensively.

References:

[Thuring et al., 1991] Thuring, M., Haake, J.M., and Hannemann, J., 1991, Hypertext '91 Proceedings.

[Stapleton, 1987] Stapleton, P., 1987, Writing Research Paper: An Easy Guide for Non-Native-English Speakers, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, 1987.