Evaluating Online Help

[Jim Grey <jimgrey -at- IQUEST -dot- NET>]

Greetings, TechWhirlers!  I've just returned to the technical writing fold
after spending a year and a half editing computer books.  The publishing biz
turned out to be a real grind.  (Next time you're at a bookstore, look up
_PC SECRETS, 2nd Edition_, and _Mac and Power Mac SECRETS, 3rd Edition_ --
the projects that broke my back.)  I've just started with a small software
company called Marketing Resources Plus as an "Author/Developer."  MRP
creates software for the advertising industry.  I'll be writing Windows Help
and developing computer-based training for one of MRP's products.

We're gearing up to evaluate the in-place Windows Help system.  We'll be
surveying users to find out what works for them and what doesn't.  So, I ask
you: Do you know of, and can you recommend, any articles or books that will
help us plan an effective evaluation strategy?

Furthermore, I have no schooling in instructional design.  I developed a few
courses for a previous employer, not really knowing what I was doing, but
students seemed to find the courses effective.  I'd like to study
instructional design before I get too entrenched in developing CBT!  Again,
can you recommend any articles or books on this topic?

Glad to be back.

Peace,
jim
--
jim grey          |beebeebumbleandthestingersmottthehoopleraycharlessingers
jimgrey -at- iquest -dot- net|lonniemackandtwangin'eddiehere'smyringwe'regoingsteadyta