Contextual design: an emergent view of system design

ABSTRACT

We offer an introduction to contextual design as an emergent method for building effective systems. Contextual design addresses a number of the inadequacies in previous methods by emphasizing: interview methods conducted in the context of the user's work, codesigning with the user, building an understanding of work in context, and summarizing conclusions through out the research. We contrast this design method to usability engineering and artifact examination.

REFERENCES

• 1: Boff, K.R. (1988). The value of research is in the eye of the beholder. Human Factors Society Bulletin, 31 (6), 1-4.
• 2: J. M. Carroll , W. A. Kellogg, Artifact as theory-nexus: hermeneutics meets theory-based design, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems: Wings for the mind, p.7-14, March 1989
• 3: Carroll, J.M. and Campbell, R.L (1986). Softening-up hard science: Reply to Newell and Card. Human-Computer Interaction, 2,227-249.
• 4: Carroll, J.M. and Carrithers, C. (1984). Blocking errors in a training wheels system. Human Factors, 26,, 377-389.
• 5: Richard Catrambone , John M. Carroll, Learning a word processing system with training wheels and guided exploration, Proceedings of the SIGCHI/GI conference on Human factors in computing systems and graphics interface, p.169-174, April 05-09, 1987, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• 6: Charlton, S.G. (1988). An edpidemiological approach to the criteria gap in human factors engineering. Human Factors Society Bulletin, 31(3), 1-3.
• 7: Cormally, C.E. and Tullis, T.S. (1986). Evaluating the user interface: Videotaping without a camera. Proceedings of The Human Factors Society, 30th Annual Meeting, Santa Moaica, CA: Human Factors Society, 1029-1033.
• 8: Elm, P. Work-Oriented Design of Computer Artifacts, Stockholm: Arbetlivscentrum, 1988.
• 9: M. Good, Seven experiences with contextual field research, ACM SIGCHI Bulletin, v.20 n.4, p.25-32, April 1989 [doi>10.1145/67243.67246]
• 10: John D. Gould , Clayton Lewis, Designing for usability: key principles and what designers think, Communications of the ACM, v.28 n.3, p.300-311, March 1985 [doi>10.1145/3166.3170]
• 11: Heidegger, M. Being And Time. (Trans. J Macquarrie, and E. Robinson). New York: Harper and Row, 1962.
• 12: Human Interface Guidelines: Apple Deslaop Interface. (1987). New York: Addison Wesley.
• 13: IBM Common User Access Advanced Interface Design Guide. (1989), Boca Raton, FL: IBM
• 14: B. E. John , A. Newell, Cumulating the science of HCI: from s-R compatibility to transcription typing, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems: Wings for the mind, p.109-114, March 1989
• 15: T. Kato, What “question-asking protocols” can say about the user interface, International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, v.25 n.6, p.659-673, Dec. 1986 [doi>10.1016/S0020-7373(86)80080-3]
• 16: S. T. Knox , W. A. Bailey , E. F. Lynch, Directed dialogue protocols: verbal data for user interface design, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems: Wings for the mind, p.283-287, March 1989
• 17: Marx, K. Thesis On Feuerbach. (Trans. T.B. Bottomore). New York: Penquin Books, 1971.
• 18: Meister, D. (1988). References to reality in the practice of human factors. Human Factors Society Bulletin, 31(10), 1-3.
• 19: Norman, D. The Psychology Of ~veryday Things. New York, Basic books. 1988.
• 20: Open Look Graphical User Interface Functional Specification. Sun Microsystems: Mountain View, CA.
• 21: OSF/MOTIF Style Guide (1989). Open Software Foundation. Cambridge MA.
• 22: Pepper, S.C. (1966). Worm Hypotheses. Los Angeles: University of California Press.
• 23: Popper, K.R. (1959). The Logic Of Discovery. London: Hutchinson.
• 24: Mary Beth Rosson , Wendy Kellogg , Susanne Maass, The designer as user: building requirements for design tools from design practice, Communications of the ACM, v.31 n.11, p.1288-1298, Nov. 1988 [doi>10.1145/50087.50090]
• 25: Rouse, W.B, (1987). Much ado about data. Human Factors Society Bulletin, 30(9), 1-3.
• 26: Simon, C.W. (1987). Will egg-suc&ing ever become a science? Human Factors Society Bulletin, 30(6), 1-4
• 27: Smi~:.'L,L. (1987). Whyfore human factors? Human Factors Society Bulletin, 30(2), 6-7.
• 28: John C. Thomas , Wendy A. Kellogg, Minimizing Ecological Gaps in Interface Design, IEEE Software, v.6 n.1, p.78-86, January 1989 [doi>10.1109/52.16905]
• 29: Whiteside, J., Bennett:, J. & ttoltzblatt, K. Usability engineering our experience and evolution, in Helander, M. (Ed.) ttandbook Of Human Computer Interaction. New York: North Holland, 791-817.
• 30: John Whiteside , Dennis Wixon, Improving human-computer interaction—a quest for cognitive science, Interfacing thought: cognitive aspects of human-computer interaction, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1987
• 31: Wino~9"ad, T. and Flores, F. Understanding Computers And Cognition. Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1986.
• 32: Wittgenstein, L. Philosophical Investigations, (Trans. G.E.M. Anscombe). New York: Macmillan, 1968.
• 33: XUI S~.le Guide (1988). Digital Equipment Corporation. Maynard MA.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human factors

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Systems analysis and design

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Management, Theory