Research in Context: Ethnographic Usability

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 1997

Research in Context: Ethnographic Usability

Patricia Dorazio ; Julia Stovall

Abstract

The only way to judge a product's acceptance in the workplace is through its use. However, before a product is released into the marketplace, its developers would like to predict its acceptability in the target market. One predictor of acceptability is usability test results. Typically, usability testing takes place outside of the user's natural environment in a usability test lab, an artificial environment. This article suggest ways in which ethnographic principles, historically used to describe a culture from the point of view of someone within that culture, can be used along with traditional usability testing to predict a product's acceptability in the marketplace.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1997-01-01
DOI: 10.2190/dpqf-vg74-1hqa-l2f9
Open Access: Closed
Topics: technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

Spinuzzi (2001)

Grappling with Distributed Usability: A Cultural-Historical Examination of Docu…

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
HERNDL et al. (2000)

Research as Social Practice

Written Communication

Cites in this index (1)

DOHENY-FARINA (1986)

Writing in an Emerging Organization

Written Communication

Also cites 3 works outside this index ↓

10.1109/47.31603

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10.1111/j.1467-9310.1983.tb00001.x

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Dorazio P. and Stovall J., Usability: Input to the Classical Systems Model, IPCC 92 Conference Record, MB 12.2/500.

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