Comparative Assessment of Document Usability With Writing Quality Measures  

Measures of writing quality were developed on the basis of research findings on reading, writing, and cognition. From among the over twenty measures developed by the quality project, this paper illustrates theoretical and methodological issues for two kinds of measures: agents of action in sentences and task-oriented headings. When applied to a sample set of documents, these measures showed the writing to be inconsistent in style among the documents and only partly in conformance with suggestions derived from research. Though technical communication writing guidelines may be well thought out and grounded in years of practice, to have credibility in the new quality environment, writing guidelines need to be supported by testing. This paper discusses the development and testing of document quality measures that can be used as the basis of writing guidelines. The measures were tested both by using them to score technical documents, which will be discussed here, and laboratory testing with document users, which will not be discussed in this paper.

Krull, Robert. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Writing>Assessment

Comparing Apples to Apples: An Interviewing Process and Strategy  

An effective interview process better enables fhe selection of thoroughly qualified technical writers. This process is repeatable and ensures comparing “apples to apples. ” The seven steps are 1) advertise the job, 2) receive and review the resumes, 3) receive and review the writing samples, 4) set up the interuiezu, 5) hold the pre-intetiao strategy meeting, 6) hold the interoiew, 7)and hold the post-interview debriefing.

Sharp, Jane and Gloria M.D. Gyure. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>Interviewing

Comparing Assessment Techniques  

In just the last few years, we have begun to see research studies comparing usability testing to other techniques for assessing usability. In general, usability testing has found more of the most serious usability problems and fewer of the least serious problems than other methods. Heuristic evaluation--having people evaluate the interface either from their own expertise or from a set of guidelines--has achieved mixed results. Although usability testing seems expensive compared to other methods, it may be less expensive when considered on the basis of 'cost per problem that needs to be fixed.'

Redish, Janice C. 'Ginny'. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Usability>Testing>Assessment

A Comparison of Eye Tracking Tools in Usability Testing  

Eye tracking tools have recently attracted attention from usability professionals. Eye tracking offers usability researchers a new way to identify very fine-grained behaviors that indicate usability problems. This paper is a comparison of different types of eye tracking tools and their potential usefulness in usability testing. Specifically, the paper examines the cost of the systems, system types, sampling rate, and some system limitations. The paper aims to provide a basic introduction to technical communicators who are considering adding an eye- tracking system to their toolkit.

DeSantis, Rich, Quan Zhou and Judith A. Ramey. STC Proceedings (2005). Articles>Usability>Testing>Eye Tracking

The Competitive Advantage of Technical Communication: The Western Canadian Research Project  

The Western Canadian Research Project intends to show western Canadian businesses how to improve their performance through the effective use of technical communication. The project consists of intensive research into the current perception and use of technical communication by business and government, and into the current state of the technical communication profession in the region. The project analyzes and presents this primary research in a report, and concludes with a series of publications and events designed to achieve the project’s objective: improved business performance.

Conklin, John James, Sheila C. Jones, Andrew E. Quarry and Donald Keith Steirer. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>TC>Regional>Canada

Complex Technology Calls for Intelligible Documentation  

By means of the tekom guidelines (check list) the technical author can particularly check the documentation of a product. However it is not the product which can be checked by means of this check list, but only the product’s documentation.

Noack, Claus. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Documentation>Technology

Complexities Of Usability Testing  

Usability testing has proven itself in improving product usability, but actually planning, doing testing, and interpreting results are not always straightforward. Interpretation of the results of usability testing, changes to improves usability, and general inferences to be drawn from specific tests are extremely difficult to make with accuracy. After working through the practicalities and politics of usability testing itself you must then draw conclusions and support them People who have done a lot of testing will find these problems familiar.

Ridgway, Lenore S. STC Proceedings (1994). Presentations>Usability>Methods>Testing

Complexity Theory as a Way of Understanding our Role in the World-Wide Web  

Complexity theory offers a way of understanding our role within the World-Wide Web. Postulating a rhetorical object based on object-oriented analysis and design, we can harness a number of ideas from complexity theory to gain a new perspective on the Web. This paper reviews a number of complexity ideas that may help technical communicators grapple with the exponential growth in the volume of inter-related and interacting rhetorical objects on the Web, viewing the rhetorical situation as the result of the law of increasing returns, which has brought us through a phase transition to a new environment, with its own emergent properties, creating new roles for writers, and new work for managers.

Price, Jonathan R. STC Proceedings (1998). Presentations>Web Design>Theory

Components of E-Commerce    

This article explains what you need to setup an ecommerce business starting with the basics of business and leading to the new technology of e-commerce. Even though there has been many e-businesses that have failed recently, e-commerce is growing at a record pace. Many businesses are trying to setup store fronts in cyberspace, and many more are creating businesses for the sole purpose of selling stuff on the web.

Wokosin, Linda. STC Proceedings (2002). Design>Web Design>E Commerce

Composing Organically With Reader Engagement: The CORE Method  

The CORE method of teaching technical writing begins with a short core document and builds up from there. The method follows advances in writing technology and pedagogy, realizing the advantages of computer-assisted writing as well as the 'process' approach to teaching composition. The workshop creates opportunities for participants to evaluate the CORE method and apply it to their own teaching or training tasks.

Killingsworth, M. Jimmie. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Education>Writing>Technical Writing

Computer Networks and the Technical Writer  

Electronic mail and the computer networks it travels over provide new tools for the fechnical writer to use in researching, composing, and submitting documents. Over these networks, the writer can query authors, seek guidance from other professionals, browse through electronic libraries, and exploit other information resources to aid the writing process.

O'Hara, Frederick M., Jr. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Business Communication>Email

Computer-Based Training that Really Communicates  

To design and develop effective computer-based training screens, take advantage of visual psychological impact. Treated as a grid, the screen has high and low impact areas, Position the elements of the message to take advantage of these. Use visual cues to create planes and layers for emphasis. Decide on the content types which make up your message. These include concept, principle, process, procedure, and fact. Build screen sequences to make the purpose of the content clear to users. Add application Ievel questions to keep users involved.

Warlum, Michael E. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Education>Online>Cognitive Psychology

Computer-Mediated Communication as a Component of Technical Communication Education  

Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) involves the application of compute r- based tools to transfer information among people over computer networks. CMC is becoming more prevalent with the rapid growth of the global network of networks known as the Internet. Because of this growth, the ability to communicate using CMC on the Internet is an important part of technical communication education. Communicating effectively using CMC involves appreciating the technical, social, and psychological factors of network use; gaining competence in using tools for Network Information Retrieval (NIR); and understanding how to communicate in CMC forums by analyzing audience, distribution medium, access methods, information-sharing practices, and social context. The rapid growth of computer and information technologies worldwide and their potential for advancing the functions of scientific and technical communication dramatizes the need for technical communicators who are competent in Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC). In this paper, I first describe CMC as a means of communicant ion on the Internet. Then, I review reasons for teaching CMC as a part of technical communication education. Finally, I outline a skill set for CMC.

December, John A. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Education>TC>Online

Computer-Mediated Conferencing: Teaching in a Virtual Classroom  

Asynchronous desktop conferencing, or computer-mediated interaction, is one of the new technologies in education. A videocourse with an interactive conferencing component was used successfully in a distance course for graduate students in technical communication. The technology allowed students to collaborate, peer review, and conference at their own pace without coming to campus. Computermediated conferencing has promise as a teaching tool for technical communication.

Coppola, Nancy W. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Education>Instructional Design>Online

Conducting a Postmortem

A postmortem is a meeting of all members of the project team at the end of the project to identify what went well and should be repeated on future projects; and what did not go well and how to avoid these situations on future projects. In addition, the postmortem should provide time for the members of the project team to thank one another for their contributions. Often during the course of a project, team members become so comfortable working with one another that they do not thank each other for their contributions or acknowledge exceptional work. As a result, team members might not realize that their colleagues appreciate their contributions. The postmortem provides a formal opportunity for team members to offer one another such recognition.

Carliner, Saul. STC Northeast Ohio (2002). Articles>Project Management>TC

Conducting Mail, Telephone, and Online Surveys: 1998  

While surveys appear surprisingly easy to plan and conduct, they are fraught with pitfalls for the unwary. That said, technical communicators can use surveys as a tool to enhance their understanding of audiences, assess the effectiveness of their communication products, and determine the value of technical communications to their company--if they follow wellestablished social science and communication science methodologies. This workshop will provide you with the foundations you need for developing, conducting, and managing surveys; analyzing the data, interpreting surveys and reporting your results.

Zimmerman, Donald E. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Usability>Methods>Surveys

Conducting Mail, Telephone, and Online Surveys: 1999  

While surveys appear surprisingly easy to plan and conduct, they are fraught with pitfalls for the unwary. That said, technical communicators can use surveys as a tool to enhance their understanding of audiences, assess the effectiveness of their communication products, and determine the value of technical communication to their company--if they follow well-established social science and communication science methodologies. This workshop will provide you with the foundations you need for developing, conducting, and managing surveys; analyzing the data, interpreting surveys and reporting your results.

Zimmerman, Donald E. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Usability>Methods>Surveys

Conducting Successful SME Interviews  

Interviewing subject matter experts (SMEs) is one of the most common and useful methods for obtaining the information needed to create quality documents. Successful SME interviews require careful research and preparation in advance. During the interview, good listening skills, critical analysis, and the ability to maintain control of the range and depth of the interview with appropriate tact are crucial to successful outcomes. After the interview, give prompt attention to notes and any required follow-through. When working with hostile SMEs or those with poor communication skills, emphasize the strengths of the relationship and develop strategies to work around any weaknesses.

Lambe, Jennifer L. STC Proceedings (2002). Articles>Interviewing>Writing>SMEs

Conducting Surveys Over the World Wide Web  

The World Wide Web presents a new medium for conducting user surveys. Using this new medium requires that survey designers pay attention not only to the time honored rules for survey construction and administration, but to new rules stemming from the new web-based technology. This paper will present suggestions and ideas for conducting web-based surveys that are based on actual survey experiences.

Gould, Emilie W., Mark Gurevich and Peter D. Pagerey. STC Proceedings (1998). Presentations>Usability>Methods

Conducting Usability Studies at User Group Meetings  

In this day and age, getting closer to your user base is imperative for creating user-centric documentation. This paper discusses how the Technical Publications group at Mentor Graphics tapped into their annual User Group meeting (MUG) to conduct usability studies. We cover: Convincing management of the ROI of participating in the User Group meeting; establishing relationships with meeting organizers; defining proper "protocol" for interacting with users and other meeting attendees; planning for and dealing with equipment setup; recruiting users to the usability lab; considering and acquiring incentives for usability lab participants.

Yaspo, Catherine and Sarah E. Leritz-Higgins. STC Proceedings (2005). Articles>Usability>Testing>User Centered Design

Conducting Usability Tests to Upgrade Your Web Sites  

Usability testing can be planned and executed at various levels of complexity to enhance your Web site throughout stages of development. Include usability testing in the front-end planning and set Web site usability goals. Test early prototypes and then test again to quantify improvements. Assemble a team to plan the testing even if it is just two people. If you follow a planning and testing checklist, you should be rewarded with valuable data to analyze and upgrade your Web site. The process and outcome can enhance your company¶s reputation or improve your credibility as an information designer or developer.

Lester, Susan M.J. STC Proceedings (1999). Presentations>Web Design>Usability

Confronting Doublespeak  

The Doublethink and Newspeak of Orwell's 1984 have counterparts in the Doublespeak that can be identified in many contemporary public documents. As technical editors, we may be confronted with documents that use Doublespeak to misdirect or deceive the reader. What is our role in dealing with such documents?

Bowermaster, Philip. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Language>Rhetoric

Confronting Illiteracy with Scientific Communication

Explains how workplace principles of effective scientific communication also have an important role in literacy outreach programs for schools.

Girill, T.R. STC East Bay (2003). Articles>Education>Scientific Communication