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Research Gap

More research into QR codes must be done. As it stands, technical writers have not studied QR codes and how they fit into technical writing, though the existing frameworks easily encompass it. Most importantly, technical writers need to ascertain how the majority of readers/users feel about QR codes. Barnum (2011) states that understanding how users experience products “determine[s] whether the design matches their expectations and supports their goals” (p. 10). How they perceive QR codes can inform technical writers and other researchers on how helpful or frustrating a QR code is. Technical writers and designers need this “feedback” (Barnum, 2011, p. 138). By now, most readers/users in metropolitan and suburban spaces in the United States have encountered QR codes in their daily lives. This means a variety of people of varying backgrounds and ages and technological skills will have formed opinions. They need to be invited into the conversation on QR codes.

The market is being flooded with QR codes; they’re appearing everywhere. By gathering real-world data from people on their perceptions about QR codes, technical writers (and by extension market researchers and advertisers) could learn which QR codes are best. Knowing what people want could have a huge impact on better understanding the depth of engagement they’re wanting. Maybe they want QR codes to lead them to menu options but they still want a live human to take their reservation? Or they’d like more captioning on what the QR code will lead them to (establishing more trust and legitimacy)? Whether they’re excited by the sight of QR codes and supplementary material or whether they feel an inward tug of “Ugh, more QR codes”? Technical writers need this input to design products and spread awareness, enriching the landscape of technical writing and helping readers/users have a voice in these decisions.

The main questions I want to focus on revolve around how readers/users feel about QR codes. Are they overwhelmed or excited at the sight of them? How frequently are they seeing them? To what extent do they feel they should engage with a QR code (is the task too complicated)? 

Reference

Barnum, C. M. (2011). Usability testing essentials : ready, set— test. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.

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