W1: HCI Research as Problem-Solving

Question 1

What are the 3 main categories of HCI research problems?

Answer 1

• Empirical
• Conceptual
• Constructive

Question 1

What are the subtypes of Empirical Problems?

Answer 1

• Unknown phenomena
• Unknown factors
• Unknown effects

Question 2

What are the subtypes of Conceptual Problems?

Answer 2

• Implausibility
• Inconsistency
• Incompatibility

Question 3

What are the subtypes of Constructive Problems?

Answer 3

• No known solution
• Partial, ineffective, or inefficient solution
• Insufficient knowledge or resources for implementation or deployment

Question 4

Give an example of an Empirical Problem.

Answer 4

Qualitative research or studies to quantify the effects of specific user interface elements.

Question 5

Give an example of a Conceptual Problem.

Answer 5

Developing theories, concepts, or principles to explain previously unconnected phenomena in interaction.

Question 6

Give an example of a Constructive Problem.

Answer 6

Designing novel interactive systems, developing improved solutions for existing interactions, or addressing implementation challenges.

Question 7

Explain what Empirical Problems are.

Answer 7

Studying and describing unknown phenomena in HCI

Question 8

Explain what Conceptual Problems are.

Answer 8

Developing theories, models, or frameworks that contribute to a deeper understanding of HCI phenomena and integrate existing knowledge.

Question 9

Explain what Constructive Problems are.

Answer 9

Creating solutions, such as designing new technologies, interfaces, or systems to address specific issues in HCI.

Question 10

List 5 aspects of problem solving capacity.

Answer 10

• significance
• effectiveness
• efficiency
• transferability
• confidence

Question 11

Explain ‘Significance’.

Answer 11

Research should address important problems that have a meaningful impact on stakeholders in the HCI community.

Question 12

Explain ‘Effectiveness’.

Answer 12

Solutions should effectively address the identified problems, and evaluation metrics should align with research priorities.

Question 13

Explain ‘Efficiency’.

Answer 13

Researchers should consider the effort, resources, and scalability required to develop and deploy solutions.

Question 14

Explain ‘Transferability’.

Answer 14

The solutions should be applicable to a wide range of users, tasks, and contexts, and should ideally open up qualitatively new applications.

Question 15

Explain ‘Confidence’.

Answer 15

Research should provide empirical validation, reliability, and replicability, increasing the confidence in the proposed solutions.

Question 16

Explain ‘Improvement of Writing Culture’.

Answer 16

While problem-solving capacity can benefit researchers, it should also consider the impact on stakeholders outside the research community, including society and industry.

Question 17

Explain ‘Addressing Subjectivity and Non-Measurability’.

Answer 17

HCI research can address subjective and non-measurable qualities, like user experience, by developing better-defined problems and solutions.

Question 18

Explain ‘Handling Messy Problems’.

Answer 18

While some HCI problems may initially be ill-defined or messy, researchers should aim to formulate them more clearly and seek better solutions.

Question 19

Explain ‘Visionary Contributions’.

Answer 19

Visions and conceptual contributions, even if they lack immediate solutions, can be valuable as they expand the field’s problem-solving capacity.

Question 20

Explain ‘Interdisciplinary Nature of HCI’.

Answer 20

HCI research should not be constrained by disciplinary boundaries but should focus on its subject of inquiry, purposes, and characteristics.