Can inspection methods generate valid new knowledge in HCI? The case of semiotic inspection

  • Authors:

  • Clarisse Sieckenius de Souza;Carla Faria Leitão;Raquel Oliveira Prates;Sílvia Amélia Bim;Elton José da Silva

  • Affiliations:

  • Departamento de Informática, PUC Rio, R. Marquês de S. Vicente 225, 22451-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil;Departamento de Informática, PUC Rio, R. Marquês de S. Vicente 225, 22451-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil;Departamento de Ciência da Computação, UFMG, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, 31270-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil;Departamento de Informática, PUC Rio, R. Marquês de S. Vicente 225, 22451-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil and Departamento de Ciência da Computação, UNICENTRO, R. President ...;Departamento de Computação, UFOP, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-000 Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil

  • Venue:
  • International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
  • Year:
  • 2010

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Abstract

HCI evaluation methods tend to be proposed and used to verify the interactive qualities of specific systems and design strategies. A discussion about the scientific merits of such methods to advance knowledge in HCI as a field is very rare, although much needed. This paper shows that, under certain conditions, inspection methods can be safely used in scientific research in HCI and extend their advantages beyond the territory of professional practice. Taking the Semiotic Inspection Method (SIM) as an example, we argue that its interpretive results are objective, can be validated, and produce scientific knowledge comparable to that generated by more widely accepted methods.