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Survey of reader preferences concerning the format of NASA technical reportsA survey was conducted to determine the opinions of readers concerning the format (organization) of NASA technical reports and usage of technical report components. A survey questionnaire was sent to 513 LaRC engineers and scientists and 600 engineers and scientists from three (3) professional/technical societies. The response rates were 74 and 85 percent, respectively. The questionnaire included the order in which users read report components, the components reviewed or read to determine whether to read a report, report components which could be deleted, the desirability of a table of contents, the desirability of both a summary and abstract, the location of the symbols list and glossary, the integration of illustrative material, the preferred format for reference citations, column layout and right margin treatment, and person/voice. The results of the reader preference survey indicated that the conclusion was the component most often ready by survey respondents. The summary, conclusion, abstract, title page, and introduction were the components used most frequently to determine if a report would actually be read. Respondents indicated that a summary as well as an abstract should be included, that the definition of symbols and glossary of terms should be located in the front of the report, and that illustrative material should be integrated with the text rather than grouped at the end of the report. Citation by number was the preferred format for references. A one-column, ragged right margin was preferred. Third person, passive voice was the style of writing preferred by the respondents.
Document ID
19820026424
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Pinelli, T. E. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Glassman, M. (Old Dominion Univ. Williamsburg, Va., United States)
Cordle, V. M. (Coll. of William and Mary)
Date Acquired
September 4, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1982
Subject Category
Documentation And Information Science
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-84502
NAS 1.15:84502
Accession Number
82N34300
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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