CUA Information Architecture & Navigation Flashcards

What is 'persistent navigation' in website design?

Answer: Navigation that remains consistently visible and accessible on every page of the site

Persistent navigation stays in a fixed position across all pages, giving users constant access to primary site sections regardless of where they are.

'Breadcrumb navigation' is best described as:

Answer: A secondary navigation trail showing the user's location within the site hierarchy

Breadcrumbs display the hierarchical path from the homepage to the user's current location, aiding orientation and allowing users to step back up the hierarchy.

The 'three-click rule' in web navigation is best characterized as:

Answer: A popular but empirically unsupported guideline suggesting any page should be reachable in three clicks

Research does not support the three-click rule as a universal law; users tolerate more clicks if they feel progress is being made and content is findable.

What is 'global navigation' in a website's design system?

Answer: A consistent set of links available on every page providing access to top-level sections

Global navigation appears on every page and provides access to the primary sections of a site, giving users a consistent anchor point regardless of where they land.

In usability research, 'tree testing' is a method used to:

Answer: Measure how well users can find content using the site hierarchy without any visual design present

Tree testing isolates the IA from visual design by presenting a text-only hierarchy and measuring whether users can successfully navigate to target content.

A 'mega menu' navigation pattern is most appropriate for websites that:

Answer: Need to display a large number of subcategories simultaneously on hover or tap

Mega menus reveal multiple navigation levels at once, making them well suited for large e-commerce or enterprise sites with deep, complex content hierarchies.