scope:

This part of ISO 9186 specifies a method for testing the comprehensibility of graphical symbols. It provides a measure of the extent to which a variant of a graphical symbol communicates its intended message. The purpose of this part of ISO 9186 is to ensure that graphical symbols and signs using graphical symbols are readily understood. The intention is to encourage the development of graphical symbols which are correctly understood by users when no supplementary (i.e. explanatory) text is presented. When such a graphical symbol cannot be developed, it might be necessary to present a graphical symbol together with supplementary text explaining its meaning in the language of the intended users.

NOTE 1 Alternatively, it could be necessary to inform people about the meaning of the graphical symbol by including its meaning in manuals, instructions, or training.

NOTE 2 ISO 9186-2 specifies a method for testing the perceptual quality of graphical symbols by measuring the extent to which the elements of the graphical symbol can be correctly identified. ISO 9186-3 is under development; it is intended to specify a method of testing the association of graphical symbols with their referents and be applicable to those situations where the viewer tested might initially be unfamiliar with the referents.