Design Study Methodology: Reflections from the Trenches and the Stacks

Michael Sedlmair, Miriah Meyer, and Tamara Munzner


Abstract | Paper | Talk | HighRes Figures
Nine-stage design study methodology framework classified into three top-level categories. While outlined as a linear process, the overlapping stages and gray arrows imply the iterative dynamics of this process.

Abstract

Design studies are an increasingly popular form of problem-driven visualization research, yet there is little guidance available about how to do them effectively. In this paper we reflect on our combined experience of conducting twenty-one design studies, as well as reading and reviewing many more, and on an extensive literature review of other field work methods and methodologies. Based on this foundation we provide definitions, propose a methodological framework, and provide practical guidance for conducting design studies. We define a design study as a project in which visualization researchers analyze a specific real-world problem faced by domain experts, design a visualization system that supports solving this problem, validate the design, and reflect about lessons learned in order to refine visualization design guidelines. We characterize two axes - a task clarity axis from fuzzy to crisp and an information location axis from the domain expert's head to the computer - and use these axes to reason about design study contributions, their suitability, and uniqueness from other approaches. The proposed methodological framework consists of 9 stages: learn, winnow, cast, discover, design, implement, deploy, reflect, and write. For each stage we provide practical guidance and outline potential pitfalls. We also conducted an extensive literature survey of related methodological approaches that involve a significant amount of qualitative field work, and compare design study methodology to that of ethnography, grounded theory, and action research.

Paper

Design Study Methodology: Reflections from the Trenches and the Stacks
IEEE Trans. Visualization and Computer Graphics (Proc. InfoVis), 18(12): 2431-2440, 2012.
Honorable mention for Best Paper Award.

Talk

Talk given at InfoVis 2012 in Seattle, WA, USA:
PDF (24.4 MB)

HighRes Figures

Nine-stage framework:
The task clarity and information location axes as a way to analyze the suitability of design study methodology.:


Michael Sedlmair
Last modified: Oct 25, 2012