A description error is when the intended action is done on the wrong object. This can occur when two actions are very similar. The classic example of a description error is pouring orange juice in a bowl of cereal in the morning. The user has performed all of the correct actions. They opened the fridge, removed the container from the fridge, and pour the liquid into their bowl. However, all of these actions have been performed on the wrong object, the orange juice in this case.
How to help users avoid description errors:
- If icons are used, make sure the icons are easily distinguished from each other.
- Use location to help distinguish right and wrong choices - Don’t put these choices right next to each other.
- Give the user lots of feedback.
- Provide an undo feature for when this error occurs
