Papers: “A haptic tool for group work about
geometrical concepts engaging blind and sighted pupils” and “Auditory feedback
in haptic collaborative interfaces”
How
does a collaborative setting differ from a single user setting as regards
methodology used and the results obtained?
In a collaborative setting there are more parameters
to take into account. In the paper the collaborative setting was with children
so they had to think about how to compose the group so that everyone felt comfortable
and also gives more results in a way because they talk more and they can do
things in a relaxed atmosphere. In this way they would perhaps concentrate more
on the assignment and the tools. They will probably solve more things and also maybe
use more functions and methods by thinking together. In a single setting it
could occur difficulties for the user which could affect the results and not be
as rewarding.
How can
qualitative and quantitative methods in the same study complement each other?
They can complement each other by answering the same
question but in different ways. Qualitative methods examine and answer the
questions why and how. While quantitative methods are of empirical
investigation. In the same study they can complement each other by adding more
relevant and useful data. They can also complement in a way that one get a new understanding
of the results from them both.
How can
using both subjective and objective methods give a better understanding of a
phenomenon?
By using both subjective and objective methods a
phenomenon can get more analyzed and as well as from different aspects.
Paper: “Turn your mobile into the ball: rendering football game using
vibration”
1. How can media
technologies be evaluated?
According to the paper the usability of media technologies are defined by
ISO recommendations as three aspects. With help of the aspects effectiveness,
efficiency and satisfaction, media technology can be evaluated by different
tests within these aspects. Effectiveness were in the paper tested by letting a
person click on the area (in the football field) where he/she thinks is the
corresponding place of the football when receiving vibrotactile signals. Effectiveness
means if a specific task (as knowing where the football is through tactile
signals perception) can be accomplished or not in the system. In the evaluation
efficiency is used to see how efficient a system is in the meaning of using as
little effort as possible accomplishing a task. The effort was measured by the
reaction time between the vibration signals and between click of the user on
the area on the screen. The third aspect, satisfaction, is tested by using
observations of the users’ attitude to the system and in the paper in a form of
a questionnaire. The users comfort and acceptability toward the system is what satisfaction
is about.
1 2. What role
will prototypes play in research?
With a prototype
a lot of findings can be made and new ideas can come up. One can develop the
prototype to an extent so that the “real” product can be as good as possible. A
prototype can also do so that errors can be found and later on be avoided. The
prototype, which is a model and not a finished product could by tests lead to
new research areas and new ways to find solutions.
2 3. Why could it
be necessary to develop a proof of concept prototype?
It could be
necessary to develop a proof of concept (POC) to show the idea’s feasibility.
This is an even earlier step than the prototype and it is to see if it is even
possible to continue with the concept, even though the technical part is
working. It could also be necessary so more analysis can be done before doing a
prototype.
3 4. What are
characteristics and limitations of prototypes?
The good parts
of prototypes are that they are much easier to investigate and understand the concept
of a product. One can imagine even further how it really could be, but it is as
well a limitation while a prototype is not finished and could not show the exact
functions.
4 5. How can
design research be communicated/presented?
I think an easy
way to present design research is simply by prototypes and also sketches,
paintings etc. Only a description of a design could be quite difficult to work
with and truly understand.
