Critical review of experimental research on the usability of hard copy documentation

B. Mirel

doi:10.1109/47.87620

IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Jun 1991

Critical review of experimental research on the usability of hard copy documentation

B. Mirel

Abstract

The author examines 22 experimental usability studies that appeared between 1980 and 1989. The discussion takes two directions: analysis of fundamental aspects of research coherence and unity by assessing the extent to which researchers jointly pursue a logical sequence of questions and the extent to which they integrate findings from prior studies into their own designs; and assessment of how trends in sample selection, size, and composition limit the strength of research conclusions. Ten years' worth of choices about samples show that a cumulative laxity in these choices has greatly constrained what one confidently can say experimental studies have proven about effective hard copy documentation. The author concludes by offering 13 recommended design strategies for future usability research.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>

Journal: IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published: 1991-06-01
DOI: 10.1109/47.87620
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Topics: assessment technical communication book reviews
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

Haaksma et al. (2018)

Users’ Personal Conceptions of Usability and User Experience of Electronic and …

IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

Cites in this index (2)

Odescalchi (1986)

Documentation is the key to user success

IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Schell (1986)

Testing online and print user documentation

IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

Also cites 18 works outside this index ↓

vermeulen (1987)

Effects of functionally or topographically presented process schemes on operator performance

Human Factors ↗
10.1016/S0020-7373(86)80047-5

↗
10.1016/S0020-7373(87)80064-0

↗
10.1207/s15327051hci0103_3

↗
duffy (1983)

Document design for technical job tasks: An evaluation

Human Factors ↗
10.1037/0022-0663.72.2.209

↗
10.1207/s15327051hci0302_2

↗
10.1145/358198.358218

↗
10.1016/S0020-7373(84)80017-6

↗
10.1016/S0022-5371(82)90456-X

↗
10.3758/BF03209230

↗
light (1984)

10.1002/ev.1378

New Directions for Program Evaluation ↗
10.1016/S0020-7373(86)80030-X

↗
10.1016/0749-596X(87)90060-X

↗
holt (1989)

Multileveled structured documentation

Human Factors ↗
krohn (1983)

Flowcharts used for procedural instructions

Human Factors ↗
carroll (1984)

Blocking learner error states in a training-wheels system

Human Factors ↗
10.1207/s15327051hci0204_2

↗

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Critical review of experimental research on the usability of hard copy documentation

Abstract

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

Cites in this index (2)

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