Pre-reflection: Theme 5

Part 1 - “Turn Your Mobile Into the Ball”

This theme seems really interested to me, as this is the one which is actual related to our program. Also, I have worked a lot with design research and testing, developing prototypes in my projects during bachelor.

1. How can media technologies be evaluated?

Media technologies can be evaluated by seeing that, whether system is giving desired output or not, whether users are satisfied and comfortable with product or not? In the paper, they used traditional approach to evaluate the media technology. As they divided the work in smaller chunks and then reached to their goal step by step. They evaluated the system by using the prototype or mock-up of mobile phone that was attached with vibration motor.  They used the ISO (International Standard Organization) recommendations that are Effectiveness, Efficiency and Satisfaction to evaluate the usability of system. Which was done by calculating the output of system every time and getting feedback from users (System testing and user testing).  Additionally, to help users they also designed a trainee process to see the users experience and also for further improvements.

2. What role will prototypes play in research?

Prototypes used as a dummy of the product to see the product’s performance and user’s response. Well-developed prototypes help the developer to assess the design and resolve the practical issues at beginning stage. For example, in software development if there is some changes occur at the testing phase so it is very hard to recover and sometimes developer have to re-code all the program, also it takes time and can be costly for both customer and developer. So prototypes helps to test the design at initial stage when incorporating changes are more affordable.

3. Why could it be necessary to develop a proof of concept prototype?

A proof of concept prototype is very important as it demonstrate the feasibility of idea or proposed technical solution. In technology and engineering field, a rough prototype called ‘proof of concept prototype’ is often developed to see functionality in real time. As I described in above question, it is very important to avoid hard changes or difficulties at the time of deployment.

4. What are characteristics and limitations of prototypes?

Prototype is a model, sample or a first deliverable in development process to show customers that what they will get at end. Prototypes describes the design and idea more practically rather than theoretically. For example, prototype of a website will show all the design, navigation, input methods but as it is not published yet so it will not connect with server and database. So the prototype can show the partial functions as it is only a practical form of intended idea. But prototypes are very helpful to revise the design, to avoid any misunderstanding and reducing the risks.   

5. How can design research be communicated/presented?

 I think that prototyping is best way to communicate or present design research. Because in this way design research will be more understandable and can show the real picture.

PART 2

How does a collaborative setting differ from a single user setting as regards methodology used and the results obtained?

Collaborative setting refers the group work including two or more participants, and single-user setting refers the work done by only one user. The first paper emphasis on the concept of group work as group work can develop the environment in which pupils can understand and solve the problems more easily. Collaborative work also reflects different views of people so I think it is better than the work done by single user.

How can qualitative and quantitative methods in the same study complement each other?

Quantitative methods used to get statistical results so these are useful to test the hypothesis. Qualitative methods used to analyze and understand the phenomena in deeper way which can create some hypothesis. So if we combine quantitative and qualitative methods so it can produce fruitful results. In this way, I think they complement each other very well and can be more valuable if combined.

How can using both subjective and objective methods give a better understanding of a phenomenon?

Subjective methods based on one’s mind, experiences and way of perceiving the world. Objective methods refers to verify and observe the world by using scientific approach not individual’s mind. I think phenomena or theory usually based on individual’s perception (which is subjective method), so if we analyze and verify the phenomena with scientific methods (Which is objective method) then off course it will give a better understanding of phenomena.