Category: Interaction Design

Aims	Objectives	Methods	Outcomes	Outputs
Investigate the impact of women-centric career empowerment platforms on the career advancement, job search strategies, and job satisfaction of women	1. Examine existing literature and studies. 2. Analyze existing platforms and communities. 3. Explore the influence of these platforms on job search strategies for women. 4. Conduct interviews and surveys to gather information about fears, experiences, and pain points. 5. Develop a list of required features and create wireframes and a prototype based on those.	Conduct surveys and interviews. Analyze existing platforms. Prototype development.	Find key factors and features that contribute to career advancement for women. Based on research and findings develop a prototype.	Literature and research overview. Showcase of the whole process, starting from literature, surveys to the final prototype.

Ontology:

In examining the nature of reality in the context of my research topic, I recognize certain assumptions about the phenomena or issues I would like to explore. The nature of reality in this case revolves around the complex relationship between social media, particularly Instagram, and teenage wellbeing. I recognize that I am making assumptions about the existence of challenges and consequences associated with teenagers’ social media use.

These assumptions can be considered as subjective constructs, influenced by personal experiences and cultural factors. The challenges young people face when navigating social media platforms are not objective facts, but are closely linked to the diverse perceptions, experiences and cultural contexts that shape individuals’ interactions with these platforms. Understanding the problems and potential solutions is therefore dynamic and subject to interpretation based on the different perspectives through which different stakeholders view the issues at hand. Kids & Teenagers are struggling with the toxic influence of social media (i.e. the app Instagram) as they start to question their body, their looking, their outfits, the things they do and have and so one. You can also consider these as objective facts as there are several studies about the influence of social media on teenagers and the bad consequences. For example eating disorders, suicide rate, overall dissatisfaction & insecurity.

Epistemology:

In terms of the study of knowledge, my approach is multi-layered and draws on a variety of sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of the research topic. Primary sources include empirical data collected through surveys and interviews that provide valuable insight into the lived experiences and perceptions of youth, parents, and educators regarding social media use.

Theoretical frameworks also play a crucial role in shaping my understanding and provide a conceptual basis for interpreting the complexities of the phenomena. I recognize the importance of combining theoretical perspectives with empirical observations to paint a holistic picture of the research subject.

However, it is important to recognize the potential limitations of this approach. While empirical data and theoretical frameworks contribute significantly to knowledge gain, they may not capture the full range of subjective experiences or cultural subtleties. Furthermore, my own background and perspective inevitably influence the interpretation of research findings. Being aware of these potential biases is crucial to ensure the rigor and validity of the study. I strive to remain open to diverse viewpoints and continually reflect on how my own experiences may influence my interpretation of the research, thus minimizing the impact of potential inherent biases on the study’s findings.

For my Instagram Youth version, I examined the following stakeholders.

Teenagers: As the primary users, their perspectives on the current challenges and preferences for a redesigned Instagram are crucial.

Parents: Given the concerns parents may have about their children’s online activities, understanding their perspectives on a safer social media environment is important.

Educators: Teachers and school administrators may be interested in how social media affects students’ well-being and may have insights into the educational implications.

Social Media Experts: Professionals specializing in social media, child psychology, or digital well-being can provide expert opinions and contribute valuable insights.

Instagram (Meta): The platform itself is a key stakeholder. Understanding their policies, constraints, and potential collaboration is essential.

For the “What is this” analysis, I chose Instagram itself to get a better understanding of the app.

What is this: Instagram

1. What is it for?
   • Sharing photos and videos
   • Connecting with friends and family
   • Discovering content based on interests
   • Building a personal or brand presence
   • Providing a platform for self-expression
2. To use it:
   • To create an account
   • To post content
   • To interact with others through likes, comments, and direct messages
   • To explore content on the main feed and through Stories
3. How did it get there?
   • Developed by Instagram, Inc. (now owned by Meta)
   • Downloading it from the App Store
4. Who uses it?
   • Individuals of various ages, interests, and backgrounds
   • Influencers and content creators
   • Businesses and brands for marketing and engagement
   • Celebrities and public figures
   • Educational institutions, non-profits, and organizations for outreach
5. What does it do?
   • Facilitates photo and video sharing
   • Enables communication through comments and direct messages
   • Provides a platform for content discovery
   • Supports advertising and promotion
6. When is it used?
   • Throughout the day based on individual preferences
   • During events, travels, and special occasions
   • To stay connected with others
   • For personal or professional branding
   • As a source of entertainment and information
7. What is it made of?
   • Software code written in programming languages
   • Database infrastructure to store user data
   • Visual elements including images, icons, and user interface components
8. Who made it?
   • Developed by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger (Instagram founders)
   • Acquired by Facebook in 2012 (now Meta Platforms, Inc.)
9. Why does it exist?
   • To provide a platform for visual storytelling and sharing
   • To connect people globally through shared interests
   • To serve as a space for personal expression and creativity
   • To offer businesses and influencers a platform for promotion and engagement

Ontology:

Reflect on the nature of reality as it pertains to your research topic. Consider:

What assumptions are you making about the reality of the phenomena or issues you are researching?

I am assuming that in-person connections are more important/impactful than online connections. I’m assuming that being part of a healthy community positively affects your wellbeing. I’m assuming that many people feel they don’t spend their free time in a meaningful way, and would like to change that.

Do you view these as objective facts (existing independently of individuals’ perceptions) or as subjective constructs (shaped by personal experiences and cultural influences)?

I view these assumptions mostly as subjective constructs, however I have heard many of these constructs echoed back to me. In the research phase it will be important to objectively investigate the existing evidence both for and against these claims.

Epistemology:

Reflect on your study of knowledge, particularly how knowledge is created, its scope, and its limitations:

What are the primary sources from which you will or have derived knowledge about your research topic (e.g., empirical data, theoretical frameworks, personal experiences, cultural narratives)?

The primary sources for my research will be empirical data such as that gathered through interviews, experimentation (designing, prototyping and testing), and observation. Theoretical frameworks, such as sociological concepts, will form the framework of my research and guide my problem statement and research questions.

Consider if your understanding is mainly theoretical (based on concepts) or empirical (based on observations or data).

My understanding will be shaped by both theoretical and empirical knowledge, but skew heavily towards empirical research in the latter half of the process, due to an emphasis on participatory design.

Identify any potential limitations in your understanding or approach. Reflect on how your background or perspective might influence your interpretation of the research.

A potential limitation in my understanding and approach might come from the assumptions that I have, listed above. It will be important to discover a complete picture of the actual reality of things, rather than to merely confirm my own biases. Additionally, in researching the concept of free time and meaningful free time activities, I have to acknowledge that to have free time is a privilege, and that when assessing free time activities I should include both free and paid activities. I should also be open to redefining what free time means, and having my research change direction in response to that feedback.

Das zweite herausragende Interview habe ich mit einem Experten aber auch gleichzeitig Betroffenen geführt. Der Interviewende ist seh- und motorisch behindert und beim Nutzen von digitalen Produkten auf assistive Technologie angewiesen. Er selbst ist Linguist und seit einigen Jahren wegen großem Interesse im Bereich Usability und Accessibility Experte für digitaler Barrierefreiheit. Er selbst sagt, dass er den 360° Rundumblick aufgrund seiner Situation hat. Umso spannender ist seine Haltung gegenüber den WACA und der anstehenden Richtlinie des EAA (European Accassibility Act) ab 2025, wo er meint: „Wir müssen uns trennen, von dem Gedanken, eine Generallösung erfinden zu wollen“. Denn die Richtlinien bzw. Kriterien treffen hauptsächlich auf Personen mit nur einer Art von Beeinträchtigung zu, und sei nicht flexibel anwendbar. Beispielsweise wurde das Kriterium der Autovervollständigung genannt. Davon profitieren motorisch beeinträchtige Personen, aber wären lästig für blinde Personen. Daher sind Kriterien für die Bewusstseinsschaffung zwar ganz nett, aber nicht unbedingt förderlich. Man kann über die vielfältigen Ausprägungen von den unterschiedlichsten Behinderungen keinen universellen Deckel stülpen, so wie es die Kriterien vorgeben.

Grundsätzlich findet der Interviewende die Idee von einem GPT sinnvoll, wenn das System technisch auch funktioniert. Das AMS sei ein sehr gutes Beispiel, denn wenn Angestellte immer wieder dieselben Fragen gestellt bekommen, wieso sollte das nicht ein GPT auf der Website für sie übernehmen. Dort hat man bei der Verwendung vom GPT das Gefühl, man kommuniziert mit jemandem.

Was man aber ganz klar bei der Implementierung eines eigenen GPTs hervorheben sollte ist, dass man keine Lösung für alle User:innengruppen anbietet. Es ist durchaus in Ordnung, plakativ anzumerken, dass dieser eine GPT beispielsweise nur für Menschen funktioniert, die sich schwer beim Lesen tun, oder einen bestimmten Bildungshintergrund haben, oder ein gewisses Verständnis mitbringen. Also die User:innengruppe benennen, für die der GPT funktioniert. Damit ist die Enttäuschung aus dem Weg geräumt, wenn der GPT beispielsweise nur komplexe Inhalte ausgeben kann, aber keine leichte Sprache.