Comparative User-Focused Evaluation of User Guides: A Case Study

Abstract

A comparative evaluation of two user guides—the document traditionally used by a company and a model document designed on the basis of research results and recommendations—was carried out using a number of complementary approaches focusing on the user. The quality and suitability of these documents for the target audience were assessed in terms of content, structure, presence of certain organizational devices (such as headings) and pictures included. The results revealed that the model document was more attractive, more efficient, and better adapted to users' needs, thanks to its modular organization (being structured according to “functions”), a large number of pictures, the presence of headings, and rationalization of the vocabulary used.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2007-07-01
DOI
10.2190/tw.37.3.e
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Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

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