Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 2003

Multidimensional Audience Analysis for Dynamic Information

Michael J. Albers University of Memphis

Abstract

As technical communication gains the technology to deliver dynamic custom documents, the importance of audience analysis increases. As a major factor in supporting dynamic adjustment of document content, the audience analysis must clearly capture the range of user goals and information needs in a flexible manner. Replacing a linear audience analysis model with a multidimensional model provides one method of achieving that flexibility. With a minimum of three separate dimensions to capture topic knowledge, detail required, and user cognitive ability, this model provides the writer a means of connecting content with information requirements and ensuring the dynamic document fits varying audience needs.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2003-07-01
DOI
10.2190/6kjn-95qv-jmd3-e5ee
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (17)

  1. Ranade et al. (2026)
    Shifting rhetorical agency in multimodal UX composition with AI: Sharing rhetor…
    Computers and Composition
  2. Getto et al. (2025)
    UX Research, Management, and Design: What a Textual Analysis of UX Job Ads Mean…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Tomlinson (2023)
    Feature on Teaching: Bringing an Entrepreneurial Lens to the Business Communica…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  4. Campbell (2023)
    Identifying Digital Rhetoric in the Telemedicine User Interface
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Cardinal (2022)
    Superdiversity: An Audience Analysis Praxis for Enacting Social Justice in Tech…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 17 →
  1. Getto (2020)
    The Story/Test/Story Method: A Combined Approach to Usability Testing and Conte…
    Computers and Composition
  2. Richards (2019)
    An Ethic of Constraint: Citizens, Sea-Level Rise Viewers, and the Limits of Agency
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Robles et al. (2019)
    Using Case-Method Pedagogy to Facilitate Audience Awareness
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Cheung (2017)
    Plain Language to Minimize Cognitive Load: A Social Justice Perspective
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Cheung (2017)
    Plain Language to Minimize Cognitive Load: A Social Justice Perspective
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  6. Getto et al. (2017)
    Mapping Personas: Designing UX Relationships for an Online Coastal Atlas
    Computers and Composition
  7. Lam et al. (2016)
    Flipping the Audience Script: An Activity That Integrates Research and Audience…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  8. Stephens et al. (2015)
    Evaluating the Utility and Communicative Effectiveness of an Interactive Sea-Le…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  9. Zobel (2013)
    Engaging complexity in usability through assemblage
    Communication Design Quarterly
  10. Albers (2011)
    Design and Usability: Beginner Interactions with Complex Software
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  11. Albers (2009)
    Design for Effective Support of User Intentions in Information-Rich Interactions
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  12. Albers (2009)
    Design for Effective Support of User Intentions in Information-Rich Interactions
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (22) · 4 in this index

  1. Rockley A. (2001)
    Technical Communication
  2. Schriver K. (1996)
    Dynamics in Document Design
  3. Hackos J. (1998)
    User and Task Analysis for Interface Design
  4. Alred G. (1991)
    The Professional Writer: A Guide for Advanced Technical Writing
  5. Burnett R. (2000)
    Technical Communication
Show all 22 →
  1. Caricato J. (2000)
    Technical Communication
  2. Bannon L. (1986)
    User Centered. System Design: New Perspectives on Human-Computer Interaction
  3. Carroll J. (1995)
    Scenario-Based Design: Envisioning Work and Technology in System Development
  4. Constantine L. (1999)
    Software for Use: A Practical Guide to the Models and Methods of Usage-Centered Design
  5. 10.1007/978-3-322-99786-9_1
     ↗
  6. O'Malley C. (1986)
    User Centered. System Design: New Perspectives' on Human-Computer Interaction
  7. Cilliers P. (1998)
    Complexity and Postmodernism: Understanding Complex Systems
  8. Bist (1996)
    Applying the object-oriented model to technical information
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  9. Warren T. (1993)
    Technical Communication
  10. 10.1177/001872088803000404
     ↗
  11. Mumby D. (1988)
    Communication and Power in Organizations: Discourse, Ideology, and Domination
  12. Mirel (1988)
    Cognitive Processing, Text Linguistics and Documentation Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  13. Albers (2000)
    The technical editor and document databases: What the future may hold
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  14. Albers M. (2002)
    Technical Communication
  15. Albers M. (2002)
    Content and Complexity: The Role of Content in Information Design
  16. Kim L. (2002)
    Technical Communication
  17. Webb et al. (2001)
    The Design Elements of Medieval Books of Hours
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
CrossRef global citation count: 36 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Written Communication May 2026
    Leveraging Human-Centered Design and Artificial Intelligence to Improve Rural Healthcare: Wicked Problems, Design Thinking, and Mutable Methodologies ↗
    Richard Johnson-Sheehan; Thomas Rickert; Paul Thompson Hunter; Adrianna Deptula
    technical communication artificial intelligence
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication May 2026
    The User Experience of Virtual Reality for Longitudinal Writing: A Diary Study of Immersive Graduate Dissertation Composing Experience ↗
    Jason Tham; Rich Shivener; Niveditha Pookkottuvariam; Sarah Riddick
    rhetorical criticism graduate education technical communication archival research empirical research qualitative research
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    Visualizing Heat Risk: Infographics, Memorability, and Design ↗
    Preksha Mysore; Kathryn Lambrecht
    technical communication
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    Developing Intercultural Socioemotional Communication Skills: A Hybrid Student Exchange Project Between Kenya, Ireland, and Germany ↗
    Belinda Oechsler; Yvonne Cleary; Sissi Closs
    technical communication professional writing
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    What Video Games Can Tell Us About Interactive Technical Communication ↗
    Emily Kuzneski Johnson
    technical communication multimodality