Beyond a narrow conception of usability testing

The author points out that construed narrowly, 'usability testing of documentation' can be limited to validating the usability of a nearly completed draft. She explores ways that technical communication can take a broader view of usability and then situate new approaches and studies. She argues that this broader interpretation can given technical communicators ways to talk with others interested in usability and can build a platform for an understanding of usability research that looks beyond the testing of drafts for usability to the tough issues driving usability research. >

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