Comments
Reference Information
There’s Methodology in the Madness: Toward Critical HCI Ethnography
Amanda Williams, Lilly Irani
CHI 2010 - Atlanta
Summary
Using comparison to the field of anthropology and the authors’ personal experiences in ethnographic HCI research, this paper calls for a reevaluation of the conventions around qualitative research in the HCI community. The paper notes two trends: complication in the rhetoric of the user and expansion of field sites, as becoming common issues in HCI publications. Through personal research experiences the authors identify a disruption of boundaries and interruption of the traditional “neutral observer” role while employing ethnographic methods. By comparison to the shifts in ethnography in anthropology, the authors argue that ethnographic HCI research should establish a criteria for what can be considered a rigorous methodology. Ultimately a call for a shift from methods as recipes to methodology as theoretically justifiable principles design research engagements is presented.
Discussion
This paper presents interesting parallels between the field of anthropology and the HCI community. The authors link the changes which took place in 80s and 90s in anthropology to inspiration for changes in methods of HCI research. Though I believe “recipe” style studies in well controlled environments with reproducible results are more desirable, it is possible that more subjective, ethnographic methods are the only solution to some design situations. While I do see the merit in a discussion of what constitutes a rigorous ethnographic method, I do wonder if such criteria can be established.
Picture
The authors cite the Arduino open source hardware project as an example of complicated designer/user dichotomies. Above is an image of an Arduino Mega.
Very well written, though maybe a little verbose. I have to say that I think "subjective, ethnographic methods" will have to become the de facto "weapon of choice" to keep up with a field that changes so quickly, especially when one considers the quickly dissolving anthropological boundaries that the use of computers and the internet tear down.
ReplyDeleteI agree that for the purpose of scientific study, the recipe style methods would be ideal and that in practice, subjective methods are the only plausible solution. The changing field is just too diverse and large scale for any other means to work well.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your discussion of this paper. I also wondered if it would be possible set a criteria for such a rigorous ethnographic method
ReplyDeleteWhile a recipe style method is certainly attractive from a design standpoint, there are enough variations in product use that assumptions are rendered incorrect. It seems like the subjective approach is the way to go.
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