Design research in digital government: a query prosthesis for voters

ABSTRACT

The internet is an increasingly important source of information about political candidates and issues. Voters and candidates alike are taking advantage of a wide variety of internet tools. Many internet users continue to be unskilled at the use of search tools and find a restricted subset of available information. A simple assistive technology was developed to help voters formulate queries. This "query prosthesis" changed the search and browsing patterns of participants in a mock voting study and provides guidelines for more comprehensive interfaces to help voters. An argument is made for greater application of design science in digital government research.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.4 COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY
      K.4.1 Public Policy Issues

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation, Human Factors

Keywords:
digital government, electronic voting, internet and politics