Methodology for Universal Design of ITs; Epistemologies Among Norwegian Experts
Achieving inclusive eSocieties has prompted a focus on universally designed IT-solutions. One strategy to ensure high quality universal design is identifying methodological best-practices. Literature voice different paradigms and points to diverging user-
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Abstract. Achieving inclusive eSocieties has prompted a focus on universally designed IT-solutions. One strategy to ensure high quality universal design is identifying methodological best-practices. Literature voice different paradigms and points to diverging user-centeredness. This paper explores strategies and epistemological views employed by Norwegian experts through survey research. Results confirm a user-centered methodological approach is common. Both mechanical worldviews and a no-contact strategy as well as high-contact and involved strategies are identified. The paper discusses methodological traditions in the sample as well as successfulness of survey items. Keywords: Universal design epistemology · User centered methodology · Design strategies · User involvement · User contact
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Introduction
Norway has legislated that all public ICT-solutions must be inclusive and universal designed, in order to combat democratic, economical and ethical issues in the expansive self-service eSociety. In addition to determine quality assuring criteria for final solutions, best-practice process criteria could help ensure universal design (UD). British Standard 8878 suggests a user-centred approach to web accessibility [1]. UD processes reported in literature are often user centered, inclusive and iterative. However, even if universal design is viewed as an extension of user-centered approaches there are multiple practiced degrees of user contact, user involvement, user sensitivity and critical thinking in the field [2,3]. The range of user-centeredness and epistemological beliefs varies [4]. This study is a step towards understanding the impact of methodology on universal design quality. The goal of this exploratory study is to gain more insight into how universal design is practiced by Norwegian experts on universal design of ICT. Through survey research the paper explores methodologies strategies, epistemological views and paradigmic stances currently employed.
c Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 K. Miesenberger et al. (Eds.): ICCHP 2016, Part I, LNCS 9758, pp. 121–128, 2016. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-41264-1 17
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M.E.N. Begnum
Background
Academic approaches for universal design of IT are often user-centered and seem well aligned with ISO 9241-210 [5]. Common methodologies are user-centered design (UCD), inclusive design, user sensitive inclusive design, emphatic design, user involvement and participatory design [4]. At least two epistemological cultures appear to be present in the field, with different philosophical justifications for what one believes is valid knowledge and how it can be aquired. The first epistemological culture seems focused on technology, checklists, standards, automatic tests and inspections [6,7], to view UD as an added constraint and influenced by (post)positivism [8]. The second epistemology is positive towards UD, focus on users and includes epistemological reflections linked to critical, interventionistic and interpretive paradigms. The second culture is frequently identified
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