From quality in use to value in the world

Published 24 April 2004

Gilbert Cockton

Citations84

TL;DR

It is argued that a focus on quality in use limits the potential of HCI, and that HCI must move beyond contextual description to prescriptive approaches to value in the world.

Abstract

This paper argues that a focus on quality in use limits the potential of HCI. It summarizes how novel approaches such as Grounded Design can let us go beyond usability to reveal the fit between designs and expected contexts of use. This however is still not enough. It cannot resolve dilemmas about what is and is not a usability problem, or when fit is or is not essential. Such dilemmas can only be resolved by an understanding of the value that artifacts aim to deliver in the world. HCI must move beyond contextual description to prescriptive approaches to value in the world.

Keywords

Computer Science

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