A Software Tool for Observation and Analysis of Design Activity
DS 30: Proceedings of DESIGN 2002, the 7th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik
Year: 2002
Editor: Marjanovic D.
Author: Bender, B.; Kammerer, U.; Pietzcker, F.; Blessing, L. T. M.; Hacker, W.
Section: Design research and technology
Page(s): 113-118
Abstract
For identification of successful design strategies we observe individual heuristics of experienced professional designers within a cross sectional laboratory study. To cope with some typical problems of observing complex cognitive activity, a software tool for observation and analysis of individual design procedures has been developed. This software tool allows real-time data capture, automatically processes fundamental data-analyses and therefore increases the efficiency of empirical research. The tool is expected to be easily customised for use with other types of research based on the observation and analysis of complex cognitive activity in a laboratory or a field.
Keywords: empirical studies of design, methods in design science, research tools