Key areas
1) Fieldwork
People & Organisations
We apply systematic qualitative techniques to understand the social and organisational settings where technology is used.
ACTIVITIES: Observation, Fieldwork, and Interviews.
METHODS: Video-based interaction analysis, Ethnography for design, Sensory ethnography.
2) Design
Participatory Design
We engage stakeholders in the design process using co-design methods that provide stakeholder communities with the opportunity to engage directly in the process of design, and to contribute to the identification and definition of requirements.
ACTIVITIES: Idea generation, Co-design activities
METHODS: Cooperative prototyping, Scenario development, Workshops.
3) Evaluation
Assessment
We conduct user studies to understand how well a system supports interaction and activity in its intended setting. For a technology to be successful it should be assessed to determine its usefulness (does it do want is wanted or expected), and usability (is it easy to use) as well as its impact on day-to-day interaction. We also need to understand how it might support or constrain activity.
METHODS: Naturalistic evaluation, Interviews, Focus groups.