Abstract

Human factors Is an important discipline for technical communicators to explore, but an examination of its historical bias toward the technological system and away from the user should be part of this exploration if we are to effectively use human factors methods in print and on‐line document development. Beginning with the advent of formal human factors in the early twentieth century, this essay reviews moments in the history of human factors that are especially relevant to technical communicators. The essay concludes with a discussion of human factors research that is most applicable to technical communications, specifically qualitative usability research, minimalism, and human activity interface design.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
1994-03-01
DOI
10.1080/10572259409364566
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (7)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 7 →
  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly

References (41) · 1 in this index

  1. Human Factors Engineering
  2. Simply Stated
  3. On the Economy of Machinery and Manufacturers
  4. User Centered System Design: New Perspectives on Human‐Computer Interaction
  5. Computer Models of Mind: Computational Approaches in Theoretical Psychology
Show all 41 →
  1. Through the Interface: A Human Activity Approach to User Interface Design
  2. 10.1207/s15327051hci0403_1
  3. 10.1207/s15327051hci0104_4
  4. Designing for Humans: The Human Factor in Engineering
  5. Readings in Human‐Computer Interaction: A Multi‐disciplinary Approach,
  6. The Nurnberg Funnel: Designing Minimalist Instruction for Practical Computer Skill
  7. 10.1207/s15327051hci0203_3
  8. Man‐Machine Engineering
  9. 10.1177/001872086500700101
    Human Factors  
  10. 10.1177/001872085800100102
    Human Factors  
  11. Solving Problems in Technical Writing
  12. _____. “A Problem‐Solving Approach to Usability Test Planning”. Proceedings of the 35th ITCC. Washington, DC.…
  13. Document Design: A Review of the Research
  14. 10.1207/s15327051hci0404_1
  15. Designing Instructional Text.
  16. Text, Context, Hypertext: Writing With and For the Computer
  17. 10.1080/00140136708930849
  18. 10.1177/001872086100300406
    Human Factors  
  19. 10.1207/s15327051hci0103_1
  20. 10.1207/s15327051hci0203_4
  21. Human Problem Solving
  22. The Design of Everyday Things
  23. User Centered System Design: New Perspectives on Human‐Computer Interaction
  24. Computers in the Human Context: Information Technology, Productivity, and People
  25. The Technical Writing Teacher
  26. The New Science of Management Decision
  27. The Sciences of the Artificial
  28. Cognitive Processes in Comprehension
  29. Designing Usable Text
  30. Plans and Situated Actions: The Problem of Human‐Machine Communication
  31. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  32. The Principles of Scientific Management
  33. Legibility of Print
  34. Understanding Computers and Cognition: A New Foundation for Design
  35. 10.1145/800045.801572
  36. Working Models of Human Perception