Information

Current Employment

Sandia National Laboratories - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Post Doctorate Fellowship - Computational Initiatives Organization

Education

Wichita State University - Wichita, Kansas
Ph.D. Human Factors Psychology (Emphasis on human-computer systems and interface usability, as well as hypertext structural issues and group performance within information systems).

Dissertation Thesis:

Examining a Metric for Predicting the Accessibility of Information within Hypertext Topological Structures

The scope of my dissertation was to evaluate a proposed metric that I designed. The metric is intended to ascertain the accessibility of information associated with various hypertext structures by determining if the derived information accessibility index for these structures corresponds with other tests of optimal hypertext accessibility (time, accuracy, and disorientation). This metric takes into account the ‘shape’ of hypertexts (i.e., depth, breadth, and topology). The metric was most accurate for the objective measures of search performance, especially the number of deviations from the optimal path, and the number of back-page commands for the more complex hypertext conditions. It is concluded that this metric could help serve as an accurate predictor of information accessibility for various types of hypertext structures.

Research Interests:

Augmented Interfaces

My current line of research consists of studying the effects of human cognition on dynamic interfaces and hypertext structures in an effort to help bridge the gap between human cognition and computer interfaces. The knowledge gained from this research will be applied computer systems in order to help facilitate an augmented cognitive relationship between humans and computers.

Hypertext Usability Research

My research in the area of Internet usability consists of studying ways to make the World Wide Web more accessible to the public. This includes the examination of different forms of interface layouts, text, and menu-tree structures.

Management Information System Research

This research mainly consists of the study of computer-supported cooperative working groups. This involves the examination of such things as participants' productivity, learning, and their degree of consensus, and conformity, as well as communication patterns as they converse via the computer during the life of their group. These interactions mostly consist of longitudinal, synchronous, decision-making tasks between individuals.

Publications:

Internet-Related Research

Bernard, M. L. Baker, R., Chaparro, B., & Fernandez, M. (2002). Paging vs. scrolling: examining ways to present search results. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 46^th Annual Meeting. (PDF format)

Bernard, M., Hull, S., & Chaparro, B. (2002). Examining the performance and preference of embedded and framed/non-framed links. Proceedings of the CybErg'2002 Conference. (PDF format)

Bernard, M. L. (2001). Developing schemas for the location of common web objects. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 45^th Annual Meeting. (PDF format)

Bernard, M. L. (2001). User expectations for the location of web objects. Proceedings of CHI ’01, 171-172. (PDF format)

Bernard, M. L., Liao, C. H., & Mills, M. M. (2001). The effects of font type and size on the legibility and reading time of online text by older adults. Proceedings of CHI ’01, 175-176. (PDF format)

Bernard, M. L., & Chaparro, B. S. (2000). Searching within websites: A comparison of three types of sitemap menu structures. Proceedings of The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 44^th Annual Meeting in San Diego, 441-444. (PDF format)

Bernard, M. L., Chaparro, B. S., & Russell, M. (2001). Examining automatic text presentation for small screens Proceedings of the Human Factors Ergonomics Society 45^th Annual Meeting. (PDF format)

Bernard, M. L., & Chaparro, B. S (2001). Finding information on the Web: Does the amount of whitespace really matter? Proceedings of the Usability Professional Association 10^th Annual Meeting. (PDF format)

Bernard, M. L., Liao, C. H., Chaparro, B. S., & Chaparro, A. (2001). Examining perceptions of online text size and typeface legibility for older males and females The 6^th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering Theory, Applications and Practice. (PDF format)

Bernard, M. L., Mills, M. M., & Chaparro, B. S. (2001). A study of children’s reading preference for different online fonts. Proceedings of the Usability Professional Association. (PDF format)

Bernard, M. L., Chaparro, B. S., Mills, M., & Halcomb, C. G. (in press). Studying children’s reading performance and preference for different computer-displayed Fonts. Behaviour and Information Technology.

Bernard, M. L., Chaparro, B. S., Mills, M., & Halcomb, C. G. (in review). The effects of size and format on two common computer-displayed fonts.

Computer-Supported Cooperative Work Research

Bernard, M. L. (1998). The effects of altering levels of groupness on group process and performance outcomes in computer-mediated interactions. Masters Thesis. (PDF format)

Bernard, M. L. (1998). Gender Interaction Differences Using Computer-Mediated Communication: Can The Internet Serve As a Status Equalizer? Non published research. (HTML format).

Chuang, T., Bernard, M., & Ali, S. (in press). Computer-supported collaborative learning performance and satisfaction: A multi-stage study. Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Chuang, T., Bernard, M., & Ali, S. (2001). Effects of communication medium on group performance and group process: A longitudinal study. 32nd DSI 2001 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. (Targeted journal for the full version: Information and Management). (PDF format)

Chuang, T., Ali, S., & Bernard, M. (2000). Computer-supported collaborative learning performance and satisfaction: A multi-stage study. Proceedings of the 31^st Decision Sciences Institute Annual Meeting. (A full version of the same title was submitted to International Journal of Information Management, which is under review).

Ali, S., Chuang, T., & Bernard, M. L. (in review). Learning performance and satisfaction: Where in computer-mediated learning does "the beef" come from?

Online Newsletter Articles

Bernard. M. (2002). Examining the Effects of Hypertext Shape on User Performance. Usability News, 4, 2. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/42/hypertext.htm

Bernard. M., Hamblin, C., & Scofield. B. (2002). Determining Cognitive Predictors of User Performance within Complex Interfaces. Usability News, 4, 2. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/42/cognitive_factors.htm

Bernard. M., Fernandez, M., & Hull, S. (2002). The Effects of Line Length on Children and Adults' Online Reading Performance. Usability News, 4, 2. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/42/text_length.htm

Bernard. M. (2002). User Expectations for the Location of Common E-Commerce Web Objects Usability News, 4, 1. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/41/web_object-ecom.htm

Bernard, M., Baker, R., & Fernandez, M. (2002). Paging vs. Scrolling: Looking for the Best Way to Present Search Results. Usability News, 4, 1. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/41/paging.htm

Bernard, M., & S. Hull, S. (2002). Where Should You Put the Links? Comparing Embedded and Framed/Non Framed Links Usability News, 4, 1. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/41/Link_position.htm

Bernard, M., Lida, B., Riley, S., Hackler, T., & Janzen, K. (2002). A Comparison of Popular Online Fonts: Which Size and Type is Best? Usability News, 4, 1. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/41/onlinetext.htm

Bernard, M., Mills, M., Peterson, M., & Storrer, K. (2001). A comparison of popular online fonts: Which are best and when? Usability News, 3, 2. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/3S/font.htm

Bernard, M., & Larsen, L. (2001). What is the best layout for multiple-column web pages? Usability News, 3, 2. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/3S/layout.htm

Bernard, M., Hull, S., & Drake, D. (2001). Where should you put the links? A comparison of four locations. Usability News, 3, 2. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/3S/links.htm

Bernard. M. L. (2000). Examining user expectations of the location of web objects. ITG Internetworking 3, 3. http://www.internettg.org/newsletter/dec00/article_bernard.html

Bernard, M. L. (2000). Constructing user-centered websites: The early design phases of small to medium sites. Usability News, 2, 1. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/2W/webdesign.htm

Bernard. M. L. (2000). Constructing user-centered websites: Design implications for content organization. Usability News, 2, 2. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/2S/webdesign.htm

Bernard. M. L., & Mills, M. M. (2000). So, what size and type of font should I use on my website? Usability News, 2, 2. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/2S/font.htm

Bernard, M. L., Chuang, T., Ali, S. (2000). Does computer-mediated collaboration really improve group communication? Our general findings. Usability News 2, 1. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/2W/cmc.htm

Bernard., M. L., Mills., M. M., & Friend, C. (2000). Male and female attitudes toward computer-mediated group interactions Usability News, 2, 2. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/2S/gender.htm

Bernard, M. L. (1999). Using a sitemap as a navigational tool. Usability News, 1, 1. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/1w/Sitemaps.htm

Bernard, M. L. (1999). Sitemap design: alphabetical or categorical? Usability News, 1, 2. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/1s/sitemap.htm

Current Research Projects

Bernard, M. L. (in preparation). User expectancies for the location of e-commerce web objects.

Bernard, M. L., Chaparro, B. S., & Hull, S. (in preparation) A comparison of web-based embedded and explicit hyperlink arrangements.

Bernard, M. L., Halcomb, C. G., Chaparro, B. S., Dorr, D., & Turner, M. L., (in preparation). Examining individual performance differences within deep hypertext structures.

Bernard, M. L., & Mills, M. (in preparation). Gender interaction differences using computer-mediated communication: Can the anonymous communication serve as a status equalizer?

Ali, S., Chuang, T., & Bernard, M. L. (in preparation). Learning satisfaction and performance: Values added to production and operations management with information technology.

Online Press Articles Pertaining to Research

Calson Analytics Web design guide. (2002). (Retrieved 8/3/02). http://www.caslon.com.au/designguide3.htm

Govern, G. (2002). How you can design for the screen reader. (Retrieved 8/3/02). http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/nt/2002/nt_2002_04_29_scan.htm

Human Factors International. (2002). More about fonts. (Retrieved 8/3/02). http://www.humanfactors.com/downloads/feb02.asp

Kangas, S. (2001). Layout and content of popular sites. NetConversions Benchmark Studies1. (Retrieved 8/3/02). http://netconversions.com/layoutcontent.htm

Walker, D. (2002). Attack of the killer conventions. Lighthouse on the Web. (Retrieved 8/3/02).
http://www.shorewalker.com/pages/heuristics_attack-1.html

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Wichita State University, Wichita Kansas 67260-0034
Telephone: (316) 978-3170