We believe that best practice in forms design should be supported by valid and reliable research. This is why we aim to regularly conduct studies about the best way to design forms.
This section contains information about research conducted by Formulate Information Design. Entries are listed from newest at the top to oldest at the bottom.
Keep up to date with the latest research by subscribing to the Formulate Information Design email newsletter or RSS feed.
Zebra striping: additional research
The venerable A List Apart has published a second article by Jessica Enders, containing the results from further studies into the zebra striping phenomenon.
Nominate for free form design
We're looking for a business to partner in a new research project aiming to measure the gains from better forms design.
Results from original data tables study
A List Apart has published the results of our 2007 research into zebra striping. The findings may surprise you.
Data tables follow-up study
Formulate Information Design is conducting a follow-up to our 2007 study on data table formatting.
We need your help—the more participants we get the greater the chance we can draw conclusions from the study that designers the world over can use.
The study is anonymous and takes less than 5 minutes.
(Update 15 June 2008: this study is now closed.)
Upcoming article
A List Apart has accepted an article submitted by Formulate Information Design, about our zebra striping research.
Formulate asked to talk about zebra striping study
We have been asked to speak about our recent research on zebra striping at two upcoming conferences.
Here we provide a video background to the technique and the study.
Update on our data tables study
After analysing the data from 244 participants, we've used the results to submit a paper to a number of conferences. Because of this, we can't release the results just yet.
However we hate to keep people in the dark, so check out this entry to learn what we were actually doing (without telling participants) and what the study measured. We've even thrown in one little finding at the end to tide you over!