XR-based technical instructions in organized testing: User behaviour and design performance

Abstract Extended reality (XR) is changing the way humans interact with information. Developers are currently experiencing a need to understand more about the use and design of XR-delivered information. Humans are active agents within human-technology interaction. There is a need to systematically study how human agency affects the nature of XR content and how this knowledge can be applied within the content design process. The present article focuses on the context of an iterative co-design process for XR-based technical instructions. The research question is: In what ways can technology-based user behavior inform the design of XR-based technical instructions? Studies exist concerning XR-based technical instructions, yet the comparability of these studies is low. User characteristics among other variables influence the results of using XR-based technical instructions. The method comprises two experimental studies that aimed to identify how users notice and act upon or ignore both designed and unintended features of XR-based technical instructions. A framework for systematically testing XR-based technical instructions was developed and applied. The results indicate that verbal evaluations of the XR-based technical instructions may not be reliable. A systematic mixed method test process is crucial transitioning the design of technical instructions to a new medium. Conclusion: There is a need for a systematic method to test how users notice and act upon the intended features of XR-based instructions. The specific target users need to be involved in this iterative process.