HCD.19:4.1 - Fix the material, criterion, and ordinary support before the attempt

Identify the material edition, task, audience prerequisites, and consuming decision. Check that these conditions match the specification. Preserve a current material copy or precise edition reference when later repair would otherwise make the observation unrecoverable.

Derive the task from the promised work. Define the domain-correct result, acceptable alternatives, and a consequential rival response before seeing the answer. If independent selection of a rule matters, the task must leave that choice to the reader. A prompt that names the decisive distinction can test its application but no longer its uncued recognition.

Give the reader the material and declared ordinary resources. Keep the evaluator’s answer key, intended defect, unpublished rationale, and later condition unavailable when they would supply the contribution being tested. A public worked example legitimately available in reference use is part of the material’s support; record that closeness instead of treating it as a test violation.

State the observation’s purpose and conditions plainly to human participants. Do not require them to experience a foreseeable harmful consequence just to demonstrate a source defect. Subject inspection and a safe task can often settle the repair before a higher-risk use.

If the task or criterion is disputed, preserve the response and resolve the subject question. A key is evidence of what the exercise accepts, not automatic authority over the domain.