Error-information in tutorial documentation: Supporting users' errors to facilitate initial skill learning

Lazonder, Adrianus W.; Meij, Hans van der

doi:10.1006/ijhc.1995.1009

Cited by 30 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Indeed, the principle to support error recognition and recovery, in which the word error means exactly the same as the word problem used in this paper, has always been one of the key design principles in minimalism 161, [ 7 ] , 1431-1451.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The lavt activity is wlving the problem In general, users engage i n one of two approaches a corrective or a (re)constructive method [6], [7], [33] In a corrective method, the user removes the obstacle(s) to regular task achievement.…”

Section: Stage 3 Proce Ysing the Problem-solving Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are at least two arguments in support of a distinct marking. The first is that users frequently consult manuals to find problemsolving information [6], [7]. The second argument is that users scan before they read, which gives marked problem-solving information a much better chance of being noted [20], [36], [ W .…”

Section: Sparksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Placement: The best place for presenting short sections of problem-solving information is within or immediately after a procedure [6], [7], [33]. In the vicinity of a procedure it better supports problem detection, definition, diagnosis, and correction.…”

Section: Input By Handmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such information may assist users in detecting, defining, diagnosing, and correcting problems, but only one of One reason for analyzing problem-solving information is that problems can have a considerable effect on user motivation and acceptance of a program and manual. In addition, research has shown that users frequently engage in problem solving.. For example, it has been found that between 25 and SO% of the user's time in word processing is spent on problem solving [4]- [7].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does the manual help? An examination of the problem-solving support offered by manuals

Meij

1996

IEEE Trans. Profess. Commun.

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Abstract-This paper examines whether manuals provide adequate help for users who are experiencing a problem. First, an outline is given of the main stages in problem-solving. This outline offers a broad framework for the two studies of current practice that follow. The first study focuses on the accessibility of help. It examines how often manuals fail to offer the right keywords, and how often they have not marked or have misplaced problemsolving information. The main conclusion is that most manuals pose formidable obstacles to accessing help. The second study investigates the main reasons for presenting problem-solving information as a Regular Step, as a Skipable Action, or as an Afterthought. The main finding is that writers or typographers tend to opt for a different design than what is theoretically best.OST handbooks for technical writers give concrete suggestions [ 11-[3]. A prominent guideline is to number the consecutive actions in a procedure. This "almost guarantees fewer mistakes" [2, p. 2341. How often is this advice followed in practice? The answer is that we don't know. No inventory on this matter exists. Inventories are also absent for most of the other advice given in the handbooks.The handbooks also suggest that it is wise to consider the competition. Such an inventory offers a perspective from which to (re)consider one's own product, yielding new ideas on content, format, layout, and access methods. Is this advice followed? Perhaps. Yet, again very few inventories have found their way into the literature.The dearth of inventories is unfortunate for those who want to get to know the competition at little cost. But, more importantly, it also impedes the advancement of technical writing as an applied science. Inventories are vital for their state-of-the-art descriptions. Among other benefits, they reveal when writers follow the advice of handbooks and when they do not. Such insights can stimulate better practices and more refined theories. In short, inventories are crucial for tying theory with practice. This paper reports on an inventory concerning problemsolving information in manuals. Problem-solving information is defined here as help for handling conflicts that interrupt or block actions. Such information may assist users in detecting, defining, diagnosing, and correcting problems, but only one of One reason for analyzing problem-solving information is that problems can have a considerable effect on user motivation and acceptance of a program and manual. In addition, research has shown that users frequently engage in problem solving.. For example, it has been found that between 25 and SO% of the user's time in word processing is spent on problem solving [4]- [7].The inventory begins with an outline of the main stages of problem solving. This description offers a broad framework for examining current practice. Two studies are then reported. The first focuses on obstacles to accessing problem-solving information. It examines how often manuals fail to offer the right keywords, and how often the...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Stage 3 Proce Ysing the Problem-solving Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sparksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Input By Handmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does the manual help? An examination of the problem-solving support offered by manuals

Meij

1996

IEEE Trans. Profess. Commun.

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The Effect of training on biologists acceptance of bioinformatics tools: A field experiment

Shachak¹,

Fine²

2008

J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci.

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A recent development in biological research is the emergence of bioinformatics, which employs novel informatics techniques to handle biological data. Although the importance of bioinformatics training is widely recognized, little attention has been paid to its effect on the acceptance of bioinformatics by biologists. In this study, the effect of training on biologists' acceptance of bioinformatics tools was tested using the technology acceptance model (TAM) as a theoretical framework. Ninety individuals participated in a field experiment during seven bioinformatics workshops. Pre-and post-intervention tests were used to measure perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and intended use of bioinformatics tools for primer design and microarray analysis-a simple versus a complex tool that is used for a simple and a complex task, respectively. Perceived usefulness and ease of use were both significant predictors of intended use of bioinformatics tools. After hands-on experience, intention to use both tools decreased. The perceived ease of use of the primer design tool increased but that of the microarray analysis tool decreased. It is suggested that hands-on training helps researchers to form realistic perceptions of bioinformatics tools, thereby enabling them to make informed decisions about whether and how to use them.

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Untitled

2008

J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci.

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Error-information in tutorial documentation: Supporting users' errors to facilitate initial skill learning

Cited by 30 publications

References 26 publications

Does the manual help? An examination of the problem-solving support offered by manuals

Does the manual help? An examination of the problem-solving support offered by manuals

The Effect of training on biologists acceptance of bioinformatics tools: A field experiment

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