Reinventing the toilet: academic research meets design practice in the pursuit of an effective sanitation solution for all

This paper outlines the research and design development process undertaken to create a user centred sanitation design solution for developing countries as part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ‘Reinventing the toilet’ challenge. The context of the Gates Foundation challenge is outlined as well as the development of the project within the University that led to the formation of a multidisciplinary team from Loughborough Design School and the Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) within the School of Civil and Building Engineering. This team would not only develop an innovative engineering solution in the form of a hydrothermal carbonisation reactor (HCR) for processing human waste, but also develop the innovative user centred, ergonomic and industrially designed front end toilet solution that is the main focus of this paper. The user centred research methods used both within Loughborough Design School and in the field in developing countries are examined as well as the design development methods that were used for the ideation and development of a range of prototypes that were to be exhibited at the Foundations Reinvent the Toilet Fair in Deli, India in early 2014. The paper concludes with a review of the success of the project so far and the challenges that lie ahead as the project moves from the prototype development phase to real world field testing in China towards the end of 2014

Conducting usability testing in agile software development environment

Abstract. This Master’s thesis conducted a qualitative approached case study with triangulation to action research for usability testing in Agile software development. First, there was done literature review to create theoretical basis for research. After literature review, the research method was constructed from usability testing methods and qualitative research tools. When research method was explained, the implementation of the research method was opened to tell how the created research method was used. Explained implementation was followed by presenting the findings. Then discussion conducted cohesion between literature, research method, implementation, and findings. Finally, conclusions summarized the main points of the thesis. Literature review brought up several usability testing methods. Research method formed to use UCD, interview, SUS, and TAP from the usability testing methods that were found. Implementation conducted eight questions for semi structured interview, five tasks for second sprint’s TAP and four tasks for third sprint’s SUS. It was identified that TAP and SUS can be used in the same usability testing session. Moreover, there were found nine hypotheses to be tested. Eight of those hypotheses were successfully tested. It was also found that action research requires adaption during the research and Agile generates changes in the plans successfully. Usability testing should be done by using at least one usability testing method and taking end user into test sessions as soon as possible. Semi structured interview’s benefit is to have more open conversation type moment with the test user. TAP achieves descriptive analysis considering how test user experiences usability of the application. SUS offers general usability level of the application in the numeric scale. Improving steps for usability testing can be seen from type of the need for the different usability responses. Another way to identify improvement is to test a new usability testing method. One way to bring usability testing in Agile software development is to conduct usability testing at the end of every sprint

DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR APP-BASED HEALTHCARE INTERVENTIONS: A MIXED METHOD APPROACH

Despite the ubiquity of mobile health applications (apps), the practical use and success of the apps have been questionable. Design Principles (DP) can affect chronic health app user satisfaction and have been studied for ensuring favorable app usage. However, there is no consensual definition of DP within the preceding literature, which has a technical rather than an end-user-centric focus and lacks a rigorous theoretical basis. Moreover, different levels of DPs’ application can lead to differential user satisfaction as influenced by the user-contextual environment, warranting a quantitative assessment. Accordingly, the overarching question to be addressed is which DP for the self-management of chronic conditions contributes to better user satisfaction outcomes. The research focuses on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as a representative condition. This research uses a mixed methods, with a qualitative approach for DP identification and a quantitative approach for the studying the DP-Satisfaction relationship. The DP identification is achieved through - 1) An in depth review of foundational theory for greater validity, 2) A Systematic Literature Review (SLR), for DP themes grounded in theory, and 3) Manually coded user reviews for MS apps. The theoretical underpinnings of the empirical approach are established through a composite theoretical lens, based on technologically, behaviorally, and cognitively oriented frameworks. The DP extracted from theory, SLR, and manual coding methods are found to be largely consistent with each other, namely ‘Communication with Clinicians’, ‘Compatibility, ‘Education’, ‘Notifications’, ‘Tracking’, ‘Social Support’, ‘Ease of Use’, ‘Technical Support’, ‘Usefulness’, ‘Privacy and Security’, and Quality. An ordinal logistic regression analysis is conducted to understand the relationship between DP and User Satisfaction outcomes based on the manually coded DP scores of the user reviews. All DP have a significant impact on User Satisfaction. From a theoretical perspective, the research improves our understanding of key design principles for the self-management of chronic conditions such as MS and the impact of such principles on user satisfaction. From a practical perspective, the findings provide guidance to the user requirement elicitation process, potentially leading to the development of more successful, sustainable, and responsive healthcare interventions

The end-user perception of healthcare waiting environment designs

Waiting environments often represent the first interaction point of the healthcare journey and as such contribute to end-user overall experience. The design of these spaces should therefore make the experience as positive as possible. The body of evidence about the relationship between healthcare built-environments and end-user outcomes has grown rapidly in recent years. However, as opposed to inpatient and longterm care, few studies have focused on the design of outpatient settings and their waiting environments. In order to improve the waiting experience, it is necessary to understand how end-users perceive the design of the healthcare waiting environments. This research therefore aims to understand how end-users in the United Kingdom perceive the design of outpatient healthcare waiting environments (OHCWEs). A mixed methods research consisting of quantitative and qualitative techniques was developed to address key research objectives in four studies. In Study 1, end-user perceptions were explored through 24 photo-elicitation interviews. Content analysis of the data revealed that end-users described their perception of the design of OHCWEs using design descriptors and/or emotional, cognitive and associative terms. This contributed to the understanding of the content and language that participants used to describe the design. In Study 2a, 66 participants rated images on semantic differential scales. Using Principal Component Analysis, the level of pleasantness and typical healthcare appearance were extracted as two end-user main perceptions. As these two perceptions were found uncorrelated, a direct causal effect relationship between them could not be assumed. This challenged existing knowledge suggesting a positive effect on end-users related to untypical healthcare appearance. In Study 2b, learning from the review of the literature and from the studies 1 and 2a were consolidated to form a theoretical foundation for the research design of Study 3 to assess design attributes. In Study 3, participants (N=116) evaluated seven design attributes and their sub-attributes on perceived level of pleasantness using photo-realistic renderings which were specifically created. Conjoint Analysis revealed that wooden flooring, an open reception area, upholstered, single chairs that are arranged in rows, clear signage and additional features e.g. indoor plants or refreshment facilities were perceived most pleasant. The quantifiable measures about the contribution of each design attribute to perceived level of pleasantness extend existing knowledge in evidence-based design and hence represent conceptual contributions. In addition to the conceptual contributions, this research also contributes to the practical and methodological development of evidence-based design. The methodological framework provides a novel way of measuring end-user perceptions of the design in OHCWEs. The developed method allowed a more complete view on end-user insights which would not have been possible using traditional, pure methods. Additional learning about the design enabled the formulation of practical design recommendations to improve end-user perceptions of OHCWEs. Being able to assess the pleasantness of healthcare environments has the potential to improve the well-being of end-users

Isolated systems with wind power. Main report

The overall objective of this research project is to study the development of methods and guidelines rather than "universal solutions" for the use of wind energy in isolated communities. The main specific objective of the project is to develop and present amore unified and generally applicable approach for assessing the technical and economical feasibility of isolated power supply systems with wind energy. As a part of the project the following tasks were carried out: Review of literature, fieldmeasurements in Egypt, development of an inventory of small isolated systems, overview of end-user demands, analysis of findings and development of proposed guidelines. The project is reported in one main report and four topical reports, all of themissued as Risø reports. This is the Main Report Risø-R-1256, summing up the activities and findings of the project and outlining an Implementation Strategy for Isolated Systems with Wind Power, applicable for international organisations such as donoragencies and development banks

An evaluation of the potential order and priority of research methods, design methods and design heuristics within an Assistive Technology new product development process

This commentary reflects on a series of published research articles, 1996-2013, that form a PhD thesis by publication. The articles offer evidence of research into best practice relating to Assistive Technology (AT) product design as a specialist section of Industrial Design (ID). The aim of the research has been to provide AT product developers with a methodology that ordered and prioritised the application of proven research methods, design methods and design heuristics; as well as, to highlight the fundamental concepts that underpin the methodology. This commentary provides a review of the methods applied and discussion of their efficacy within each case study. The series of articles, evaluated at a meta-analysis level in the second part of the commentary, address the following research questions: 1) What is the optimum order and priority of conventional design methods, heuristics and research methods when applied within a new product development process for assistive technology products?, 2) Through a meta-analysis of case studies, are there key aspects that underpin an optimum AT-ID process? From the review, 61 research methods, design methods and heuristics were defined. An order of methods and heuristics identified some methods that were used throughout all phases of a NPD process that included literature review, benchmarking, mixed methods and participatory research. The methods and heuristics used in all phases highlighted a user-centred approach and the close collaboration with end users and stakeholders. There was also a focus of methods and heuristics around phase 2 of the 5 design process phases defined by Martin and Hannington. The critical review also highlighted key underpinning aspects that helped optimise an Industrial Design approach to ID-AT NPD. These were 1) creating a format for dialogue within the constraints of perception and 2) previous experience and the application of ethically sound protocols for the whole process. Lastly the change of terminology and attitudes of those working the Assistive Technology industry highlighted the need for more research into social acceptance of all aspects of Assistive Technology and the perception of disability from those living with impairment and by UK society as a whole

A mobile-based solution for supporting end-users in the composition of services

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11042-016-3910-4Currently, technologies and applications evolve to create eco-systems made up of a myriad of heterogeneous and distributed services that are accessible anytime and anywhere. Even though these services can be used individually, it is their coordinated and combined usage what provide an added value to end-users. In addition, user¿s wide adoption of mobile devices for daily activities have fostered a shift in the role played by end-users towards Internet data and services. However, existing solutions to service composition are not targeted to ordinary end-users. More easy-to-use tools have to be offered to end-users to make sure that they are successfully accepted and used by them. To this end, the work presented in this paper supports end-users in the creation of service compositions by using mobile devices. 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Legal Instruments How to Involve End User Or Public in the Public Procurement Contract Adaptation to Future Needs

For procurement items with a long life cycle, it is very important to be able to achieve the efficiency of the result not only at the moment of acceptance of the performance, but also during its entire life cycle. Because in such a changing and dynamic development of the world, as it is now, it is impossible today to accurately predict the needs of the future consumer, or society. Thus, to ensure efficiency, it is essential that the customer has the opportunity to impact the execution of the contract not only during the procurement planning phase, but also during the life cycle of the procurement item. It is even more important not only in the procurement planning phase, but also during its implementation to ensure compliance of the performance with the needs and interests of the existing end users, or society. In practice, various ways are used to influence or amend the direction of execution of a civil contract, depending on whether the traditional public procurement or the Public-Private partnership (hereinafter - PPP) procedure is applied. The purpose of the study is to reveal the practical and legal aspects of how the end user, or society, can be involved in decision-making related to changes or additional works necessary for the effectiveness of the contract, thus ensuring their compliance with real-time needs. Methods/Approach The methodology of the research includes a conceptual research using the critical literature review, analysis of normative, evaluation of the dominant consensus, synthesis of possible solutions to legal and practical shortcomings of end user involvement in public resources spending procedures. Results: Authors come to conclusion that the involvement of the public through NGOs is essential so that its interests are taken into account throughout the procurement subject during the life cycle and it would also be possible to introduce innovations based on the needs of the society throughout the contract execution period. Reasonable way how to involve the end user (society) as a participant during whole life cycle of public procurement contract for to be able to contract adaptation for future needs could be PPP based on QHC - where institutional partnership includes NGO as representative of society.Peer reviewe

Usability in software manufacturing process

The paper present a review of information system usability assurance approaches. The author describes a historical development of software production models and divides them into two main groups. The first one, named classical, included fundamental computer program life cycles derived from software engineering. Waterfall, spiral and rapid application development (RAD) models were among approaches presented here. The second group comprised software manufacturing models oriented towards end users, in which particular emphasis is placed on usability. Within the confines of this group, the user-centered software design approach, recommended by the ISO/DIS 13407, was described first. Next, the author characterises star, Collins, simplified interaction design model proposed by Preece, Rogers and Sharp as well as comprehensive approach prepared by Mayhev. For the sake of big evaluation significance in individual life cycle stages, the paper contains various classifications and typologies of software assessment methods. Additionally, the author describes current research trends aimed at developing userfriendly computer programs and he identifies existing and possible problems in this area.informatics products’ ergonomics, human–computer interaction, software life cycles, information technology systems

Interest identification from browser tab titles: A systematic literature review

Modeling and understanding users interests has become an essential part of our daily lives. A variety of business processes and a growing number of companies employ various tools to such an end. The outcomes of these identification strategies are beneficial for both companies and users: the former are more likely to offer services to those customers who really need them, while the latter are more likely to get the service they desire. Several works have been carried out in the area of user interests identification. As a result, it might not be easy for researchers, developers, and users to orient themselves in the field; that is, to find the tools and methods that they most need, to identify ripe areas for further investigations, and to propose the development and adoption of new research plans. In this study, to overcome these potential shortcomings, we performed a systematic literature review on user interests identification. We used as input data browsing tab titles. Our goal here is to offer a service to the readership, which is capable of systematically guiding and reliably orienting researchers, developers, and users in this very vast domain. Our findings demonstrate that the majority of the research carried out in the field gathers data from either social networks (such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook) or from search engines, leaving open the question of what to do when such data is not available