Abstract
Debate continues regarding the relative effectiveness of the ANSI Z535 guidelines for the design and placement of warnings. Research shows consistent positive effects of these guidelines on precursors to warning compliance (e.g., noticing, reading, intended compliance), but less consistency on compliance behavior. Challenges in interpreting these findings stem from factors such as small sample sizes, varying research designs and experimental conditions, and treating the ANSI Z535 guidelines as a singular entity rather than as an integrative system of separable features. Here, we address these issues by testing perceptions of warning label effectiveness using a large sample (n=533) and systematically manipulating variables cited in the Z535 guidelines. Collectively, we tested eight label designs for a (2-drawer and 4-drawer) file cabinet and found statistically significant relationships between design recommendations from the ANSI Z535 guidelines and perceptions of effectiveness. The presence of a warning header and pictogram exerted the largest effects. Bulleted text and (larger) font size were also related to increased perceptions of effectiveness.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.