4. Optimizing public information brochures
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Menno de Jong
Abstract
Various methods are available for the formative evaluation of public information brochures. An important objective of scholarly research in the field of document design is the development and validation of text evaluation methods. In this chapter, we describe two of our research projects in this area. Second, we describe the development of a text-focused evaluation method based on a functional analysis of brochures about laws and regulations. This approach appears to be particularly suited for detecting high-level deficiencies in brochures concerning, for instance, the macro-structure, navigational aids, and possible omissions in the information given.
Abstract
Various methods are available for the formative evaluation of public information brochures. An important objective of scholarly research in the field of document design is the development and validation of text evaluation methods. In this chapter, we describe two of our research projects in this area. Second, we describe the development of a text-focused evaluation method based on a functional analysis of brochures about laws and regulations. This approach appears to be particularly suited for detecting high-level deficiencies in brochures concerning, for instance, the macro-structure, navigational aids, and possible omissions in the information given.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- 1. Introduction 1
- 2. How research can lead to better government forms 11
- 3. Undercover research into text quality as a tool for communication management 37
- 4. Optimizing public information brochures 59
- 5. Public documents in a multilingual context 85
- 6. Improving the quality of public documents 105
- 7. The lack of clarity in a sentence 125
- 8. Convincing citizens 147
- 9. Collaborative writing for the government 171
- 10. Strategic revision of public documents 211
- 11. Trust but verify 233
- 12. Reading to assess in professional life 255
- References 275
- About the authors 297
- Index 301
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- 1. Introduction 1
- 2. How research can lead to better government forms 11
- 3. Undercover research into text quality as a tool for communication management 37
- 4. Optimizing public information brochures 59
- 5. Public documents in a multilingual context 85
- 6. Improving the quality of public documents 105
- 7. The lack of clarity in a sentence 125
- 8. Convincing citizens 147
- 9. Collaborative writing for the government 171
- 10. Strategic revision of public documents 211
- 11. Trust but verify 233
- 12. Reading to assess in professional life 255
- References 275
- About the authors 297
- Index 301
