The Science Approach is expressed as a set of requirements:
Requirement 1: A science approach to HCI is a way of addressing the problem of designing human-computer interactions by seeking to understand such interactions.
For example, scientific disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, ethnomethodology, linguistics, artificial intelligence etc all seek to understand in different ways human mental and physical behavioural phenomena, of which human-computer interactions constitute part.
Requirement 2: A science approach to HCI involves the research and development of scientific knowledge to support HCI design. Scientific knowledge takes the form of: theories; models; laws; data; hypotheses; analytical and empirical methods and tools etc.
An example of psychology knowledge is the finding that recognition is more effective than memory for performing laboratory tasks and the associated theories of memory, intended to explain and to predict such behaviour, that is to understand it.
Requirement 3: The research and development of a science approach to HCI constitutes a way forward in addressing the problem of designing human-computer interactions, albeit indirectly. The understanding offered by science can be indirectly applied to HCI design – implicitly by trained psychologists or explicitly by the formulation of prescriptive design guidelines, as part of an applied approach to HCI (see Applied Approach).
Requirement 4: A science approach to HCI has ways of establishing, whether the problem of designing human-computer interactions has been addressed or not. For example, understanding human-computer interactions comprises explanation of known associated behavioural phenomena and prediction of unknown phenomena – both by theory. Taken together, explanation and prediction constitute the validation of theory and an understanding of the phenomena. The knowledge, however, can only be applied (implicitly or explicitly) to HCI indirectly by means of an applied approach to HCI (see Applied Approach).
Examples of Science Approaches to HCI
Morton, J., Barnard, P., Hammond, N., and Long, J. B. – Interacting with the Computer: a Framework
The paper argues that recent technological advances in the development of information processing systems will inevitably lead to a change in the nature of human-computer interaction. Direct interactions with systems will no longer be the sole province of the sophisticated data processing professional or the skilled terminal user. In consequence, assumptions underlying human-system communication will have to be re-evaluated for a broad range of applications and users. The central issue of the present paper concerns the way in which this re-evaluation should occur. Furthermore, these advancements highlight the crucial role of science in shaping the future of human-computer interaction.
Science Approach Illustration – Morton et al. Interacting with the computer: a Framework
How well does the Morton et al. paper meet the requirements for constituting a Science Approach to HCI? (Read More…..)
More.....How well does the Morton et al. paper meet the requirements for constituting a Science Approach to HCI?
Requirement 1: A science approach to HCI is a way of addressing the problem of designing human-computer interactions by seeking to understand such interactions.
The paper makes clear that humans interacting with computers is a phenomenon, which can be understood in terms of the theories of the Cognitive Sciences and in particular of those of Cognitive Psychology (Comments 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 10). The latter theories can be used to support the HCI practice of design (Comment 5).
Requirement 2: A science approach to HCI involves the research and development of scientific knowledge to support HCI design. Scientific knowledge takes the form of: theories; models; laws; data; hypotheses; analytical and empirical methods and tools etc.
The paper argues for the development of scientific knowledge, in the form of the Cognitive Sciences (in particular Linguistics and Cognitive Psychology) and as expressed as: theories; models; hypotheses; data; analytical and conceptual tools (Comments 1-5 and 8-10). The latter forms of knowledge can be used to support HCI design practice (Comment 5).
Requirement 3: The research and development of a science approach to HCI constitutes a way forward in addressing the problem of designing human-computer interactions, albeit indirectly. The understanding offered by science can be indirectly applied to HCI design – as part of an applied approach to HCI (see Applied Approach).
The paper reports two ways forward for a science approach to HCI. First, the acquisition of cognitive science models of humans interacting with computers (Comments 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9). Second, the use of these models to supply output to designers to support their practice. The particular form of this out put is not addressed in the paper (Comment 5).
Requirement 4: Finally, a science approach to HCI has ways of establishing how and whether the problem of designing human-computer interactions has been addressed or not.
The paper exemplifies the application of cognitive science models to the design of humans interacting with computers. Its novelty lies in its conceptualisation of the latter rather than its operationalisation, test or generalisation, either with respect to Cognitive Science or with respect to HCI design practice.
Conclusion: Morton et al’s research clearly demonstrates a science approach to HCI. It satisfies all four requirements. In addition, then, it can be considered a science approach, because it proposes the construction and application of cognitive science models to the design of human-computer interactions. The approach proposed in the paper is well conceptualised, although otherwise at an early stage. Note that the paper characterises itself as proposing a framework for interacting with the computer. Successful application of framework criteria would confirm this characterisation without invalidating the claim here that it constitutes a science approach.
Illustration of a Science Approach – Barnard et al (2000)
How well does the Barnard et al. paper meet the requirements for constituting a Science Approach to HCI? (More…..)
More.....As an example of a Science Approach to HCI research, Barnard, May, Duke and Duce (2000) note that early HCI research was guided by the vision of using theory from Psychology and Cognitive Science to develop engineering tools for HCI design. Given the extensive advances in computing technology, they present the case for developing new forms of ‘deep’ theory, based on generic ‘systems of interactors’. Such an overlapping, layered structure of macro- and micro-theories could then serve an explanatory function, concerning human behaviour generally and human-computer interactions specifically. The resultant understanding of the latter would inform their design.
On what grounds can Barnard et al’s work be classified as a Science Approach to HCI research?
First, a Science Approach to HCI research is a way of addressing the topic of designing human-computer interactions by understanding such interactions.
Barnard et al. argue that the new Psychology theories, such as they propose, are candidate contributors to understanding the phenomena of humans interacting with computers.
Second, the actions of a Science Approach to HCI research is a way of addressing the topic of designing human-computer interactions, by understanding them.
Barnard et al. argue that the understanding, offered by new macro theories in Psychology, such as Interactive Cognitive Subsystems, constitutes HCI research and can inform design.
Third, a Science Approach to HCI research is able to evaluate, whether the topic of designing human-computer interactions has been addressed or not.
Barnard et al’s Science Approach to HCI research can be evaluated in terms of their theories’ success in understanding, that is, explaining and predicting, the phenomena of human-computer interactions and in supporting HCI design.
Conclusion: Barnard et al’s work can be classified as a Science Approach to HCI research. It satisfies all the criteria. It assumes the ability of new theories of Psychology, such as they propose, to contribute indirectly to the design of human-computer interactions by their understanding of the latter.