DDQ TUE 2023-02-07
13. Theories & The Seven Stages of Action¶
13.1. Agenda¶
Released |
Category |
Assignment |
Day |
Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-01-10 |
Term Project |
FRI |
2023-01-20 |
|
2023-01-19 |
Paper Pres. |
THU |
2023-01-26 |
|
2023-01-19 |
Term Project |
Milestone 1: Problem Proposal (Part 1) |
FRI |
2023-01-27 |
2023-01-19 |
Paper Pres. |
THU |
2023-02-09 |
|
2023-01-19 |
Term Project |
Milestone 1: Problem Proposal (Part 2) |
FRI |
2023-02-10 |
2023-02-07 |
Exams |
FRI |
2023-02-10 |
|
2023-02-07 |
Exams |
TUE |
2023-02-14 |
|
2023-02-16 |
Term Project |
FRI |
2023-03-17 |
|
2023-03-20 |
Term Project |
FRI |
2023-04-14 |
|
2023-03-28 |
Exams |
FRI |
2023-04-21 |
|
2023-03-28 |
Exams |
THU |
2023-04-27 |
|
2023-03-28 |
Term Project |
TUE |
2023-05-09 |
General Announcements
Activity
13.2. Activity¶
13.2.1. Introduction¶
In prior discussions, we talked about design-related guidelines and principles. Today, we are going to discuss theories, which are, “high-level widely applicable frameworks to draw on during design and evaluation as well as to support communication and teaching.”
- framework¶
A supporting structure around which something can be built. Frameworks are the rules, ideas, or beliefs that are used to plan or decide something.
- theoretical framework¶
A single formal theory, i.e., the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study.
When a study is designed around a theoretical framework, the theory is the primary means in which the research problem is understood and investigated.
Some notable examples include:
Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura)
Seven Stages of Action (Norman)
User Action Framework (Andre et al.)
- conceptual framework¶
One or more formal theories (in part or whole) as well as other concepts and empirical findings from the literature.
Conceptual frameworks are used to show relationships among the various ideas and how they relate to the research study.
13.2.2. Seven Stages of Action¶
Consider the Seven Stages of Action in Norman’s The Design of Everyday Things [DOET], an explanatory theory and theoretical framework for human-computer interaction:
Fig. 13.1 The Seven Stages of the Action Cycle [DOET]¶
Norman’s theory helps us create conceptual models to investigate human actions. It describes the relationship between goals and the physical actions to achieve those goals.
13.2.3. Triggers¶
For many everyday tasks, goals and intentions are not well specified; they are opportunistic rather than planned.
—Don Norman
13.2.4. Example¶
Example: I am driving my car and decide that I want coffee.
Note
This example describes one possible sequence. Readers are encouraged to consider whether they think this sequence is typical.
- Trigger
The user is tired, it’s morning time, and they saw someone in another car drinking coffee.
- Goal
The user wants to get and drink coffee.
- Execution
Plan: The user considers their options, which usually differ depending on multiple factors. In this case, there is a Jittery Joes and a Starbucks near by. One of these has drive through service, but the other one has a kind of coffee the user regularly drinks.
Specify: The user picks one of their options. In this case, they chose to not go to the drive through location because they know the inside service is usually pretty fast.
Perform: The user navigates to the location, parks, orders, and pays.
- World
At this point, the user receives a cup of coffee, then makes their way back to their car.
Note
This example will describe a possible gulf of evaluation for this particular world outcome. Readers are encouraged to consider which parts of the evaluation might differ (or remain the same) for different outcomes.
- Evaluation
Perceive: The user feels the warmth of the coffee. They also taste it. When they do this, they’re filled with warmth and begin to smile.
Interpret: The user thinks to them self that the coffee tastes great. It’s not the usual blend that they order, but that’s okay with them. The last time they felt this way after drinking some coffee, they had a great rest of their day.
Compare: The user’s interpretation of what they perceived leads them, in this case, to believe that they have met their goal.
13.2.5. Breakout Groups¶
Randomize!
Please randomize!
Quickly introduce yourselves to each other, if you don’t already know each other.
Pick a group representative. This person will be responsible for posting your breakout group’s response on Piazza before breakout group work ends for this activity.
Help your group representative respond to the following in a followup discussion to Piazza @49.
List the full names of your breakout group members.
Provide a short, high-level description of a task that everyone in the group has either directly performed or is familiar with and that meets the following criteria:
it involves a computer interface;
there are alternative ways to complete the task (e.g., using different apps, services, hardware, etc.).
If possible, try to include an image alongside your description to make it easier for readers to understand.
Describe your task in terms of its trigger(s) and the Seven Stages of Action. If there are different responses from different members of the group, then please be sure to note that – it will make the responses more interesting.
- Trigger
What triggered the task? In the next part, you get two write about the goal; however, here you should ask yourself: what prompts the user to have that goal?
- Goal
What are the specific goals each of you have that lead to attempting the task? Are these goals themselves planned or opportunistic?
- Execution
How do each of you plan, specify, and execute the actions needed to accomplish the task? What specific steps might you take to execute the task? Are there any alternatives?
- Evaluation
How do you perceive the results of executing your actions? How much cognitive load is required to interpret the results and why? How do you determine if: i) the task is complete; and ii) your goal is met? Are (i) and (ii) the same thing?
Now that you’ve described your task, comment on each of the following in the context of your task:
The Gulf of Execution; and
The Gulf of Evaluation.
When providing your response for each gulf, please mention which constituent stages you are confident about and which ones you think may require more study.
As a group, look at and reply to the posts that other groups made.
13.2.6. After Breakout Groups¶
Duration: TBD
Look at some of the Piazza posts as a class.
13.2.7. After Class¶
Before the next class period, individually comment on another group’s post by replying to their followup discussion in Piazza @49.
Continue reading the Usability module.
Here is a list of current assignments:
Released
Category
Assignment
Day
Date
2023-01-10
Term Project
FRI
2023-01-20
2023-01-19
Paper Pres.
THU
2023-01-26
2023-01-19
Term Project
Milestone 1: Problem Proposal (Part 1)
FRI
2023-01-27
2023-01-19
Paper Pres.
THU
2023-02-09
2023-01-19
Term Project
Milestone 1: Problem Proposal (Part 2)
FRI
2023-02-10
2023-02-07
Exams
FRI
2023-02-10
2023-02-07
Exams
TUE
2023-02-14
2023-02-16
Term Project
FRI
2023-03-17
2023-03-20
Term Project
FRI
2023-04-14
2023-03-28
Exams
FRI
2023-04-21
2023-03-28
Exams
THU
2023-04-27
2023-03-28
Term Project
TUE
2023-05-09
Comments
Please keep the comments polite and constructive. In addition to whatever else you want to write, please comment on one aspect of a group’s post that you like and one aspect that you think needs improvement (e.g., you find that something is unclear or you don’t understand a justification). Be sure to provide a brief justification for each.