Abstract
This paper reviews research investigations into various aspects of the presentation of technical information. It considers the objectives of different readers who may be consulting the information as a reference work or who may need to assimilate the information in its entirety. Ways of using headings, summaries and questions to achieve these differing objectives are discussed. The review also considers the usefulness of alternatives to prose, such as flow charts, tabulation schemes and graphic presentations. It is concluded that although there is no single “best” presentation format, and although the research literature is in many places incomplete, nevertheless there are a number of studies demonstrating the advantages of particular presentation formats in specific circumstances. The results of these studies need to be given due weighting where decisions are taken about the appropriate way of presenting any technical information.
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Wright, P. Presenting technical information: A survey of research findings. Instr Sci 6, 93–134 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121082
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121082