ria@PacBell.COM (Richard I Anderson) (04/06/89)
A user interface design guideline usually included in published compilations recommends the use of words/messages that are of positive tone (nonthreatening, courteous, nonpatronizing, ...). However, the papers the compilations most often reference as the source of this guideline are other guideline compilations. I've been able to find only one paper (a Ben Shneiderman chapter in the 1981 "Directions in human-computer interaction") that reports the results of experimental studies of the impact of message tone on user performance and satisfaction, and analyses of these results revealed no significant effect attributable to message tone alone. Are any of you aware of any other experimental studies of this nature? Richard I. Anderson Human Factors Consultant Pacific Bell 2600 Camino Ramon, Room 2E850 (415)823-3715 San Ramon, CA 94583 ria@pbhyg.PacBell.COM