Design Principles for Multi-Window Online Information Systems
http://www.stc.org/confproceed/1996/PDFs/PG410.PDF

Berry, Robert R. and Michelle Corbin Nichols
STC Proceedings
1996

Abstract:

The proliferation of online information complicates information retrieval for users, who must first learn to use the information system itself. Multi-window online information systems compound this problem further by complicating an already-unfamiliar interface. However, research and practical experience suggest some design principles that can help to maximize the benefits of a multi-window system.