Information Design Journal - Volume 2, Issue 3-4, 1981

This paper seeks to develop a heuristic that can be used by form designers during the design process. This heuristic is based on an analysis of the interaction between the form and those who use it (ie, complete it or adminster it). The interaction is analysed in terms of the cognitive processes involved in dealing with the form (perception, memory, decision making, etc). This analysis also provides a framework for interpreting the available research literature. Detailed consideration of users' requirements shows that a multiplicity of design skills are needed for effective form design. This in turn has implications for the nature of the design process.

The failure to understand and use public documents correctly is a serious problem. Several studies are presented which attempt to identify the aspects of documents related to the lack of understanding. Different approaches are used, including a critical incident survey, a ranking of document difficulty, correlational studies, and an information processing analysis of document users' tasks. The major conclusion is that most problems are caused by the failure to consider the requirements of a document from the perspective of the document's audience

Examination of consent forms being used by major hospitals in Pittsburgh suggested that there was considerable room for improvement. Thus, the major goal of this study was to produce a better consent form. Our revision focused on three major areas of concern: (1) meeting the needs of the people who use consent forms; (2) deciding how explicit to make the information in the form; and (3) designing the form so that it will be used correctly. We then evaluated our revision using a number of techniques, including readability scores, tests of comprehension, and interviews. Our study suggests a number of points relevant to designing consent forms, as well as to document design in general.

This paper outlines the recent history of the language simplification movement in the United States. Legislation has been passed in several states, and commercial organisation are realising the benefits of clear communication with the public. The authors conclude that although the movement has demonstrated that legal and technical difficulties can be overcome, some observers remain unconvinced that there are cost benefits for businesses who invest in good communication; for these, only time and experience will prove the point.

This paper reports an investigation into the provision of information on social benefits and sevices to the elderly. It was found that most agencies rely heavily on leaflets. A selection of these were evaluated and most were found to be difficult, dull and confusing; a survey of elderly people revealed that few could recall seeing them, and few professionals used them. The survey also showed that the most house-bound were the least well-informed and contact with family, friends, doctors and social workers did not improve matters. One conclusion was that much money is spent on information which is seen by just a few.

The authors present a model of the process of designing documents. The model can he used as a joh aid for writers and as a framework for testing document design principles. The final step in this model is evaluation — testing how easily readers can understand and use the document. They then describe an audience-centered evaluation in which a traditional bureaucratic document was compared with a shortened,reorganized, and rewritten version. Subjects using the revised document answered more questions correctly, were significantly better in identifying the correct section, took less time to answer questions, and rated the revised document as much easier to use.

A plain English document must look simple as well as be written in simple language. To produce this effect, the designer should: leave adequate white space; use a fairly expanded, not too delicate typeface with a large x-height; use bold and italic type faces judiciously; provide for adequate leading; balance the conflicting needs of those who read and fill in the document, and those who process it.

This paper discusses recent criticism of readability formulas, in this issue of IDJ and elsewhere; the author points to evidence in their favor and focuses on three aspects of their application: when, how and why. He distinguishes between the valid use of formulas to predict reading difficulty and the invalid use to produce clear writing. Finally he points to recent research which explores new and more subtle variables.

In this discussion paper, the author concentrates on the problems of modeling the design process as a means of closing the gap between research and practice in information design. He proposes a new document design model but notes that competing objectives, in particular cost constraints, may prevent the implementation of good design procedures in practice.