'Just fill in this form' - a review for designers

This paper reviews the behavioural research, particularly on language and comprehension, which can be related to the design of forms. Such research gives rise to a number of simple rules which can be implemented by forms' designers. These rules concern the structure, content and organisation of sentences and questions. The paper illustrates how these rules can be applied to forms currently in use. Research findings which point to exceptions to the general rules are discussed in an appendix. The paper recognises that we do not yet have enough information to design perfect forms, but that there is enough for many forms to be improved and potential pitfalls avoided.