An integrated ethnographic and empirical methodology in a study of knowledge searches in aerospace design

P. Langdon*, M. Aurisicchio, P. J. Clarkson, K. Wallace

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This work continues development and evaluation of a practical approach to a Design Research Methodology developed previously [1] and extended to practical application in [2] and concentrates on empirical techniques for research evaluation. We test a method of integrating an ethnographic approach with analytic observational techniques. The ethnographic study proved a rich source of novel insights into designers' knowledge searches during normal design activities over a 9-week period. These insights were used in conjunction with a diary study and interview data to interpret the self-report and observational data. This lead to the formation of models of the search process and the development of a number of categorisation schemes for search. A methodological analysis of a number of these schemes (1) a search tree based representation, (2) a feature commonality model, was made leading to the adoption of a scheme strongly based on the ethnographical insights rather than an abstract model. Some preliminary results from the use of this model are described and methods for verification and validation of the approach discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of ICED 03, the 14th International Conference on Engineering Design
EditorsAnders Folkeson, Margareta Norell, Ulf Sellgren, Klas Gralen
PublisherDesign Society
ISBN (Electronic)1904670008
Publication statusPublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes
Event14th International Conference on Engineering Design, ICED 2003 - Stockholm, Sweden
Duration: 19 Aug 200321 Aug 2003

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design, ICED
VolumeDS 31
ISSN (Print)2220-4334
ISSN (Electronic)2220-4342

Conference

Conference14th International Conference on Engineering Design, ICED 2003
Country/TerritorySweden
CityStockholm
Period19/08/0321/08/03

Keywords

  • Design philosophy
  • Empirical study
  • User evaluation, sampling

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