Human
Factors for Technical Communicators
Reviewed by Marian Newell MISTC LCGI [1999]
This book is part of the Wiley Technical Communication Library, a handy range
of books aimed specifically at technical communicators that recognises the
broad range of disciplines in which practitioners need a grounding. In this
case, we are looking at aspects of usability.
Human Factors is an easy read, perhaps if anything not delving deep
enough into its subject. However, the information is well presented and gives
a good general overview of the topic. There are twelve chapters, stretching
from perception and learning theory to choosing a medium and defining a structure.
There is overlap with other books on document design but the emphasis is slightly
different here, coming always from the human perspective.
The early chapters concentrate on research findings about sensation, perception,
learning, memory, problem solving techniques and how people access information.
This all contributes to a sounder understanding of how readers perceive information
presented to them and why they perceive it as they do.
The book then moves on to the practical ramifications this has on presenting
information. It covers the creation of partnerships to involve users in information
design and development, and design of the document itself (choice of medium,
building a navigational infrastructure, deciding how to present the information
and developing the content).
More than anything, this volume serves as an appetiser, encouraging the reader
to find out more about the subject. Appendix B provides a list of human factors
resources to facilitate this. Personally, I enjoyed the book, even if it did
leave me wanting more.
John Wiley & Sons, 1996, ISBN 0-471-03530-0
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