Assessing effectiveness of personality style in documentation

This paper extends previous work by other researchers that indicated that users of computers preferred a computer with a personality that was similar to theirs. We conducted a similar experiment, but looking beyond preference to see if the personality of documentation would make a difference in the user’s performance. Our data suggest did not indicate that personality match affects performance; and if such a relationship exists it is likely to be weak. We discuss the related research, describe our methodology, present our results, and describe their implications and limitations. Categories and Subject Descriptors H.5.2 [Information Interfaces and Presentation]: Use interfaces – Training, help and documentation, theory and methods. General Terms Documentation Management, Human Factors Keywords Documentation, personality, effectiveness

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: SIGDOC
• Authors: Kenneth Sayles, David G. Novick
• Keywords: Factors Keywords Documentation, General Terms Documentation, Match Affects Performance, SIGDOC 2004