Facilitation of learning from a technical manual: An exploratory investigation

Abstract

Attempted to determine whether the inclusion of advance organizers, postquestions, concrete illustrations, and delayed review in a technical manual facilitates learning and enhances the manual's effectiveness as a reference source. A manual containing these 4 techniques was given to 1 group of 20 engineers. A 2nd group of 20 was given the same manual without these techniques. The experimental group recalled more information, found more of the information required on a look-up test in less time, and had more favorable attitudes toward the manual than the control group. The version of the manual accounted for a substantial proportion of variance in recall test scores, look-up test scores, and ratings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)