An investigation into the use of hypertext as a user interface to taxonomic keys

In an attempt to overcome some of the drawbacks of existingtaxonomic keys, we have experimented with a computerized versionof a key, changing the interface to the key, but leaving theinformation contained in the key essentially unchanged. Thisis in contrast to most previous work on the use of computersin taxonomy, where work has concentrated on alternative identificationtechniques and techniques for manipulating taxonomic data. Hopkin's(1991) Key to the Woodlice of Britain and Ireland was converted(including the diagrams and colour photographs), into a hypertextdocument using the Unix Guide hypertext system. An experimentwas conducted where test subjects with a wide range of experienceof taxonomic keys and computing skills were asked to identifywoodlouse specimens using the paper and hypertext forms of thekeys. The results showed that test subjects were more likelyto obtain an identification with the hypertext version of thekey. they found it easier to use and preferred using it to thepaper version of the key. However, there were indications thattest subjects were more likely to obtain a misidentificationusing the hypertext key than the paper version of the key. Furtherwork is needed to discover the possible causes of the increasedfrequency of misidentifications, and ways in which the usabilityof hypertext keys can be further enhanced