The Comparison between Web Browsing Strategies of Users with Different Verbal, Imagery and Bimodal Cognitive Styles

To compare behaviour and browsing strategies of users with different cognitive styles.
Comparative approach. Self-designed questionnaire employed to gather demographic information of 90 BA students and Riding's (1991) Cognitive Style Analysis to assess the cognitive styles. Each participant took three tasks in two websites. All the interactions were recorded for analysis.
Regarding browsing, novice users make use of the back button more and open less windows. There were no differences between search behavior of verbal and imagery users. Using back button is influenced by cognitive style and experience of users; verbal, bimodal and imagery novice users respectively make more use of the back button. Regarding browsing strategies, experienced users apply a more structured strategy. There were no differences between verbal and imagery users in terms of browsing strategies. User’s cognitive style and experience effects on their browsing strategies such that novice imagery users browse disorderly and experienced imagery users more orderly.
Paying attention to users’ browsing strategies and behaviour can positively affect improvement of supportive tools and enhance user's skills and experience levels. Using of information literacy training courses and multimedia and interactive systems is recommended.