tqm.list Weekly Digest

      Subject: flow charts
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Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 23:22:17 -0500 (EST)
From: michaelc@westgate.wh.usyd.edu.au
Subject:  flow charts

I wonder if anyone in your group could help me with the following question please?

We are currently rewriting our guidlines for the treatment of a certain condition in newborn babies.

Usually these guidelines are written in text. (ie sentences and paragraphs on a page).

But someone has come up woth an alternative. To lay it out as a flow chart. (ie "do this" text in boxes with arrows to other boxes depending on the result of the action)

The questions are:
a) Is there any research or accepted views about which is a "better" format?
b) With regard to teaching/learning is there any research regarding these formats.
c) Is my bias unfounded?

My bias is that:
i)whilst a flow diagram is instantly useful to direct the management of a particular case, it does not help the practioner to learn to deal with the subject.
ii) Flow diagrams are easy to follow, but difficult to learn.
iii) the management of a condition is better learnt from a text than a flow diagram.
iv) There is more scope for reader to deal with "borderline cases" or "grey areas" when the subject is presented as text, than when it is presented as a flow diagram.

Are there any references, especially reviews?

Thank you for your help. Please feel free to pass this query on to anyone you know who may know the answer.

My email is 
michaelc@westgate.wh.usyd.edu.au



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