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Developing effective user documentation: A human factors approach
20.4.23 (112358)
Simpson, H., and Casey, S.M. Developing effective user documentation: A human factors approach. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1988, 291 pp, 77 refs. This b o o k was written for programmers, technical writers, documentation managers and editors who want to develop effective, easy-tounderstand user documentation for computer programs. It aims to help create the right type of documentation for software and the people who will be using it. This design guide summarises findings from behavioural research related to documentation design, stressing the importance of users' cognitive capabilities and limitations. Emphasis is given to the specific characteristics of documentation products that make them easy or difficult - to use. This b o o k provides coverage of the design principles underlying good documentation and outlines all the steps in the development process, from the early functional requirements to product evaluation. Coverage includes: the impact of documentation on software acceptance, the expectations and characteristics of users, on-line versus written documentation, tutorials, reference guides, quick reference cards, job performance aids and keyboard overlays, the development process, document production including writing, drawing and desktop publishing tools, document size, organisation and other physical characteristics, typography and graphics, usability evaluations.
Display and control design 20.4.24 (112487)
Baggen, E.A., and Snyder, H.L. A human factors evaluation of current touch-entry technologies. In: 1988 SID International Symposium Digest of Technical Papers, J. Morreale ( E d ) . Society for Information Display, Playa del Rey, California, USA, 1988, pp 2 5 9 - 2 6 2 , 8 refs. The work reported here indicates how touch-panel technology has been studied to determine its applicability to Army systems. This research includes both human factors evaluations and the ability of the design to withstand the severe environmental requirements placed on military systems. The research has as its core a user performance-based comparison among six TSD design alternatives. Additionally, several measures of physical parameters known to affect user performance were made on each device. Finally, the results of performance
324
AppliedErgonomics
and device parameter measures were combined to produce models that predict user performance with TSD systems based on critical hardware parameters. 20.4.25 (112490)
Baumgarten, H.S., and Schiavone, V.J. A voice-input computerized dental examination system. Speech Technol, 1988, 4.3, 4 2 - 4 5 . A specially designed system allows a dentist or hygienist to record a complete dental examination using voice recognition technology. The recorded data may then be viewed in a variety of tabular and graphical forms. 20.4.26 (112509)
Kerr, J.S., Snelgar, R.S., Jordan, T.R., Emmerson, P.G., and Linfield, P.B. Optimum display factors for light emitting variable message road signs. In: Vision in Vehicles - II, A.G. Gale, M.H. Freeman, C.M. Haslegrave, P. Smith and S.P. Taylor (Eds). NorthHolland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 277-288, 5 refs. Factors affecting the perceptibility of light-emitting variable message signs were investigated. The factors were contrast ratio of the sign, emitter size, spacing between the emitters, letter case, and age of the observer. Optimum levels for sign factors are suggested. 20.4.27 (112510)
Padmos, P., Van den Brink, T.D.J., Alferdinek, J.W.A.M., and Folles, E. Matrix signs for motorways: System design and optimum light intensity. In: Vision in Vehicles - II, A.G. Gale, M.H. Freeman, C.M. Haslegrave, P. Smith and S.P. Taylor (Eds). NorthHolland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 269-276, 5 refs. A system of computer-controlled matrix signs, in use on Dutch freeways, was recently evaluated. The system reduces the number of accidents considerably, but its influence on traffic flow is less. Experiments to determine the sign's optimum light characteristics resulted in two- or threestep schemes for controlling its intensity as a function of ambient light level. 20.4.28 (112512)
Wenzel, E.M., Wightman, F.L., and Foster, S.H. Development of a three-dimensional auditory display systemSIGCHl Bull, 1988,20.2, 5 2 - 5 7 , 19 refs. The authors propose that the most powerful method of auditory cueing takes direct advantage o f human perceptual capabilities, providing a
December 1989
dynamic multi-dimensional pattern of events which conveys meaning about objects in the spatial world. Applications of such a three-dimensional auditory display involve any context in which the user's situational awareness is critical, particularly when visual cues are limited or absent. Examples include air traffic control displays, advanced teleconferencing environments, and monitoring telerobotic activities in hazardous situations. 20.4.29 (112529)
Heinecke, A.M. Information flows in a ship's control centre. In: Euroinfo '88, H.J. Bullinger, E.N. Protonatorios, D. Bouwhuis and F. Reim (Eds). North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 791-~796, 5 refs. With modern information and communication technology the traditional command bridge is changing to a ship's control centre for both the nautical and the technical ship operation. In order to provide an adequate workload for the operator in normal and emergency situations, the whole information flow in the ship's control centre has to be analysed and structured. Paying attention to the specific on-board conditions, the author has been able to develop recommendations for the design of displays and process control systems for safer and more economic ship operation.
Workplace and equipment design 20.4.30 (112541)
Templet, J., and Hyde, D. Towards the empathetic stair. In: Safety in the Built Environment , J.D. Sime (Ed). E. & F.N. Spon, London, 1988, pp 1 9 8 - 2 0 7 , 18 refs. Stair falls kill thousands and injure millions of people each year in the US. In the past, research has b~een directed at attempting to reduce the incidence of stair accidents; none has been directed at injury reduction: A research programme is underway aimed at developing ways to reduce the severity of injuries resulting from stairway fails, by making the stair less likely to cause trauma. The paper describes laboratory experiments and computer modelling of stairway falls; the product of these provide data on the impact forces present when a person falls. With this information it may be possible to specify stair materials that absorb much of the impact forces and therefore reduce the probability of injuries. 20.4,3 1 (1125491)
Ernst, J., Muller, K.W., and Strasser, H. Influence of the distance between
Simpson, H., and Casey, S.M. Developing effective user documentation: A human factors approach. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1988, 291 pp, 77 refs. This b o o k was written for programmers, technical writers, documentation managers and editors who want to develop effective, easy-tounderstand user documentation for computer programs. It aims to help create the right type of documentation for software and the people who will be using it. This design guide summarises findings from behavioural research related to documentation design, stressing the importance of users' cognitive capabilities and limitations. Emphasis is given to the specific characteristics of documentation products that make them easy or difficult - to use. This b o o k provides coverage of the design principles underlying good documentation and outlines all the steps in the development process, from the early functional requirements to product evaluation. Coverage includes: the impact of documentation on software acceptance, the expectations and characteristics of users, on-line versus written documentation, tutorials, reference guides, quick reference cards, job performance aids and keyboard overlays, the development process, document production including writing, drawing and desktop publishing tools, document size, organisation and other physical characteristics, typography and graphics, usability evaluations.
Display and control design 20.4.24 (112487)
Baggen, E.A., and Snyder, H.L. A human factors evaluation of current touch-entry technologies. In: 1988 SID International Symposium Digest of Technical Papers, J. Morreale ( E d ) . Society for Information Display, Playa del Rey, California, USA, 1988, pp 2 5 9 - 2 6 2 , 8 refs. The work reported here indicates how touch-panel technology has been studied to determine its applicability to Army systems. This research includes both human factors evaluations and the ability of the design to withstand the severe environmental requirements placed on military systems. The research has as its core a user performance-based comparison among six TSD design alternatives. Additionally, several measures of physical parameters known to affect user performance were made on each device. Finally, the results of performance
324
AppliedErgonomics
and device parameter measures were combined to produce models that predict user performance with TSD systems based on critical hardware parameters. 20.4.25 (112490)
Baumgarten, H.S., and Schiavone, V.J. A voice-input computerized dental examination system. Speech Technol, 1988, 4.3, 4 2 - 4 5 . A specially designed system allows a dentist or hygienist to record a complete dental examination using voice recognition technology. The recorded data may then be viewed in a variety of tabular and graphical forms. 20.4.26 (112509)
Kerr, J.S., Snelgar, R.S., Jordan, T.R., Emmerson, P.G., and Linfield, P.B. Optimum display factors for light emitting variable message road signs. In: Vision in Vehicles - II, A.G. Gale, M.H. Freeman, C.M. Haslegrave, P. Smith and S.P. Taylor (Eds). NorthHolland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 277-288, 5 refs. Factors affecting the perceptibility of light-emitting variable message signs were investigated. The factors were contrast ratio of the sign, emitter size, spacing between the emitters, letter case, and age of the observer. Optimum levels for sign factors are suggested. 20.4.27 (112510)
Padmos, P., Van den Brink, T.D.J., Alferdinek, J.W.A.M., and Folles, E. Matrix signs for motorways: System design and optimum light intensity. In: Vision in Vehicles - II, A.G. Gale, M.H. Freeman, C.M. Haslegrave, P. Smith and S.P. Taylor (Eds). NorthHolland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 269-276, 5 refs. A system of computer-controlled matrix signs, in use on Dutch freeways, was recently evaluated. The system reduces the number of accidents considerably, but its influence on traffic flow is less. Experiments to determine the sign's optimum light characteristics resulted in two- or threestep schemes for controlling its intensity as a function of ambient light level. 20.4.28 (112512)
Wenzel, E.M., Wightman, F.L., and Foster, S.H. Development of a three-dimensional auditory display systemSIGCHl Bull, 1988,20.2, 5 2 - 5 7 , 19 refs. The authors propose that the most powerful method of auditory cueing takes direct advantage o f human perceptual capabilities, providing a
December 1989
dynamic multi-dimensional pattern of events which conveys meaning about objects in the spatial world. Applications of such a three-dimensional auditory display involve any context in which the user's situational awareness is critical, particularly when visual cues are limited or absent. Examples include air traffic control displays, advanced teleconferencing environments, and monitoring telerobotic activities in hazardous situations. 20.4.29 (112529)
Heinecke, A.M. Information flows in a ship's control centre. In: Euroinfo '88, H.J. Bullinger, E.N. Protonatorios, D. Bouwhuis and F. Reim (Eds). North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 791-~796, 5 refs. With modern information and communication technology the traditional command bridge is changing to a ship's control centre for both the nautical and the technical ship operation. In order to provide an adequate workload for the operator in normal and emergency situations, the whole information flow in the ship's control centre has to be analysed and structured. Paying attention to the specific on-board conditions, the author has been able to develop recommendations for the design of displays and process control systems for safer and more economic ship operation.
Workplace and equipment design 20.4.30 (112541)
Templet, J., and Hyde, D. Towards the empathetic stair. In: Safety in the Built Environment , J.D. Sime (Ed). E. & F.N. Spon, London, 1988, pp 1 9 8 - 2 0 7 , 18 refs. Stair falls kill thousands and injure millions of people each year in the US. In the past, research has b~een directed at attempting to reduce the incidence of stair accidents; none has been directed at injury reduction: A research programme is underway aimed at developing ways to reduce the severity of injuries resulting from stairway fails, by making the stair less likely to cause trauma. The paper describes laboratory experiments and computer modelling of stairway falls; the product of these provide data on the impact forces present when a person falls. With this information it may be possible to specify stair materials that absorb much of the impact forces and therefore reduce the probability of injuries. 20.4,3 1 (1125491)
Ernst, J., Muller, K.W., and Strasser, H. Influence of the distance between