MMK (Subject) / Chapter 1 (Lesson)

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• Why was HCI needed? In the 70s/80s there was a shift from very large computers operated by engineers to small PCs for "normal" people (without technical background) => therefore more important: ease of use the human side user acceptance
• How did HCI research developed/ changed over the time? first HCI conference in 1982 (HFES conferences, "software psychology" book, .. were already before) 80s topic: word processing & database interfaces 90s topic: web usability, e-mail & groupware 2000s topic: user generated content, tagging & social networking
• What is HCI research? it's at the intersection of rigor and relevance HCI work focused on practical results that improve the quality of life involves a number of different disciplines it's always going to be complex and there will always be many different approaches
• # Which (traditional and new) measurements exist in HCI? There are many different approaches to measurement. Traditional measurements: task performance time performance user satisfaction => do not accurately measure why people use an interface, the dicretionary use for enjoyment (youtube, ..) and the emotions and trust New forms of measurement (theme examples): physiological measures (EEG, EMG) (lower) carbon footprint a feeling of community emotion, enjoyment and ease of use (of new forms of technology) satisfaction from gaming and virtual worlds (accomplishments, ...)
• # What does Triangulation (Dreiecksmethode) mean? no data collection method will be perfect:  it's important to have multiple researchers, using multiple methods & investigating the same phenomenon ⇒ Triangulation one paper ≠ scientific truth all coming to the same conclusion makes the consensus
• What's the problem of consensus in HCI research? many core questions remain unanswered, e.g. »What is the minimum number of people required for usability testing?« some answers change over time due to changing technology, e.g. »What is the biggest frustration for users on the web?« (download speed/ viruses/ browser compability/ ...)
• # What are the inherent conflicts in HCI? HCI research is complex there is often not only one optimal solution there are trade-offs and multiple stakeholders with conflicting goals
• Which disciplines involves HCI research? computer science management human factors engineering (cognitive) psychology art and design library communication/ information science => each discipline has a tradition of research methods, which are now modified for use in HCI research and some new methods are created
• Why does interdisciplinary research can be challenging? There are very much differing aspects: focus on journals vs. conferences single author vs. group author publications focus on theory vs. applied, practical work focus on grant money vs. anti-grant money some disciplines are very self-reflective the appropriate attire varies => true, even if all disciplines call themselves "HCI researchers"
• On which steps of the research process can different disciplines focus? theory research methods participants/ context statistics/ analysis implications for interfaces
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• # How can you communicate your ideas on a HCI research? you need to be familiar with research methods from different disciplines know what the "sensitive spots" are from other disciplines you need to communicate your results in a way that others can understand be prepared to answer: "Why did we use method X instead of method Y or Z?"
• Is usability testing (UT) the same as research? No. The methods used can be the same: experimental model task and time measurement lab setting But the goals are often different: UT: find and fix flaws in specific interfaces;   using any method needed;   few users Research: results, that can be generalized;  many users
• # Which trade-offs (Kompromisse/ Kosten-Nuten-Abwägungen/..) are needed in HCI research? users prefer consistency over change often, there is a trade-off between usability and security (the highest ease of use would be with no security, which isn't possible) HCI research can be hard to cost-justify

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