Abstract
Four different formats of an existing mining equipment repair manual were prepared for a comparative human performance test: (1) original hard copy text; (2) improved hard copy text with enhanced readability and indexing features; (3) computerized (hypertext) version of original text; and (4) hypertext version of improved text with interactive help features. Students in a diesel mechanics class (n=55) then were tested for proficiency in accessing and understanding information presented in these different formats. The results indicate that: (1) although the users accessed the information less quickly using the computer compared with hard copy, they positively endorsed computerized hypertext presentation of maintenance information; and (2) enhanced text readability and indexing improved access to and understanding of maintenance information, but this improvement was not subjectively appreciated by the users relative to other manuals they had used. This test indicates that change to computerized maintenance manuals should be made cautiously, and that more research is needed to measure different hypertext design and training factors.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.