Investigation of complexity of the instruction manuals for electrical coffeepots

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Fernandes, C.A. | Teixeira, J.M. | Merino, E.A.D.

Affiliations: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil

Note: [] Corresponding author: Carlos Aparecido Fernandes, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina – Programa de Pós Graduação em Engenharia de Produção – Ergonomia – Campus Universitário, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. CEP: 88040-970. Tel.: +55 4837216403; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Electrical coffeepots are commonly used in professional and residential environments. Their instruction manuals are related to issues that involve the user's safety and ability to operate the machine correctly. To provide the best product performance to the user, one must indicate or inform the correct usability, to turn the interaction easier. OBJECTIVE: This research proposes to investigate the instruction manuals of the electrical coffeepots. METHODS: Four coffee pot instruction manuals were analyzed in relation to the complexity through the heuristic evaluation. For that, eight experts of the Graphic Design were chosen to answer twenty four questions with the aim of analyzing: images; texts; layout development; information and warnings. RESULTS: This study shows the results of the 04 (four) items analyzed: a) images; b) texts; c) layout development; d) information and warnings, together with the suggestions of improvements for each manual. CONCLUSIONS: It is believed that the methodological procedures for the application of the heuristic evaluation have facilitated the diagnosis of fragilities and barriers that the users find during the interaction with electrical coffeepot manuals.

Keywords: Usability, ergonomics, heuristic evaluation, household appliance

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131730

Journal: Work, vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 607-616, 2014