The Ergonomics of Hypertext Narative: Usability Testing as a Tool for Evaluation and Redesign
http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/383948.383950
  access restricted (by the publisher) to members/subscribers/customers only
  peer-reviewed

Gee, Kim
Journal of Computer Documentation
2001

Abstract:

While usability research concentrates on evaluating informational documents and Web sites, significant insights can be gained from performing usability testing on texts designed for pleasure reading, such as hypertext narratives. This article describes the results of such a test. The results demonstrate that the navigation systems required for such texts can significantly interfere with readers ability to derive value or pleasure from the fiction. The results emphasize the importance of hypertext authors providing more linear paths through texts and of simplifying the navigational apparatus required to read them.