Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Instrumenting the user: Needfinding by combining data logging and immediate self-reporting
Aldaz, Gabriel; Steinert, Martin; Leifer, Larry J.
Type:
Year:
2013
Editor:
Udo Lindemann, Srinivasan V, Yong Se Kim, Sang Won Lee, John Clarkson, Gaetano Cascini
Author:
Series:
ICED
Institution:
1: Stanford University, United States of America; 2: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
Page(s):
417-426
ISBN:
978-1-904670-50-6
ISSN:
2220-4334
Abstract:
This paper proposes a quantitative exploration and evaluation method for needfinding that may be used in situations where the classical quantitative methods â interviews and direct observation â may not be effective on their own. âInstrumenting the userâ combines sensor data logging with periodic, immediate self-reports. The purpose of instrumenting the user is to enable the longitudinal collection and subsequent analysis of data that will aid in the identification of needs that are not apparent to the designer based on prior experience, talking to users, or observing them. When used to generate hypotheses, this quantitative approach retains the open-ended, non-standardized aspects of qualitative methods. A case study from the hearing aid industry illustrates an implementation of the method and explains how instrumenting the user can yield unexpected insights.
Keywords:
