| 1. |
- Dittrich, Yvonne, et al.
(author)
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Cooperative method development : Combining qualitative empirical research with method, techniqueand process improvement
- 2008
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In: Empirical Software Engineering. - : Springer Netherlands. - 1382-3256 .- 1573-7616. ; 13:3, s. 231-260
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The development of methods tools and process improvements is best to be based on the understanding of the development practice to be supported. Qualitative research has been proposed as a method for understanding the social and cooperative aspects of software development. However, qualitative research is not easily combined with the improvement orientation of an engineering discipline. During the last 6 years, we have applied an approach we call ‘cooperative method development’, which combines qualitative social science fieldwork, with problem-oriented method, technique and process improvement. The action research based approach focusing on shop floor software development practices allows an understanding of how contextual contingencies influence the deployment and applicability of methods, processes and techniques. This article summarizes the experiences and discusses the further development of this approach based on several research projects in cooperation with industrial partners.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Edén, Anniki Skeidsvoll, et al.
(author)
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VoiceBack : Design of artificial intelligence-driven voice-based feedback system for customer-agency communication in online travel services
- 2024
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In: Information (Switzerland). - : MDPI Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. - 2078-2489. ; 15:8, s. 1-22
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Online travel booking has become increasingly popular; however, most travel websites do not yet offer voice interaction. This study introduces VoiceBack, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven voice-based feedback system conceptualized to support both customers and online travel agencies during the booking process. It proposes a theoretically and empirically underpinned design concept that involves a voice user interface (VUI) for customer feedback. This feedback, collected by an AI agent, is analyzed and converted into actionable statistics, which are then presented to online travel agencies through a visual interface. The interface is designed to highlight problem areas and usability issues during the booking process. This study contributes to the field of human-centered AI, by offering insight into the complex process of designing and integrating voice, emotion, and feedback within user interfaces. This integrated approach can enrich the user experience of customers when booking travel online, and pave theway for more intuitive and responsive interaction designs in the future.
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| 4. |
- Faraon, Montathar, et al.
(author)
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Learning by coding : A sociocultural approach to teaching web development in higher education
- 2020
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In: Education and Information Technologies. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1360-2357 .- 1573-7608. ; 25:3, s. 1759-1783
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- As information technology continues to evolve rapidly in society, coding skills become increasingly essential to develop. The purpose of this article is to examine differences between the learner-centered and sociocultural approaches when teaching and learning coding in higher education. A quasi-experiment was applied over six academic semesters evaluating the mentioned approaches in terms of students' explicit attitudes, grades, and course evaluations. The findings indicated that the sociocultural approach may be a viable alternative to the learner-centered approach. More specifically, students indicated a preference for the sociocultural approach over the learner-centered approach, a greater number of students who passed the courses were educated via the sociocultural approach, and overall satisfaction was significantly higher for this approach as well. While the sociocultural approach has demonstrated to be advantageous, its integration in courses must concurrently be carefully balanced against constraints that teachers continuously experience in higher education, such as time and resources, which presents a challenge to the design of courses and to academia at large.
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| 5. |
- Larsson, Stefan, et al.
(author)
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Law, Norms, Piracy and Online Anonymity – Practices of de-identification in the global file sharing community
- 2012
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In: Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing: Special Issue on Digital Piracy. - : Emerald. - 2040-7130. ; 6:4, s. 260-280
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose The purpose of this study is to better understand online anonymity in the global file-sharing community in the context of social norms and copyright law. The study describes the respondents in terms of use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or similar services with respect to age, gender, geographical location, as well as analysing the correlation with file-sharing frequencies. Design/methodology/approach This study, to a large extent, collected descriptive data through a web-based survey. This was carried out in collaboration with the BitTorrent tracker The Pirate Bay (TPB), which allowed us to link the survey from the main logo of their site. In 72 hours, we received over 75,000 responses, providing the opportunity to compare use of anonymity services with factors of age, geographical region, file-sharing frequency, etc. Findings Overall, 17.8 per cent of the respondents used a VPN or similar service (free or paid). A core of high-frequency uploaders is more inclined to use VPNs or similar services than the average file sharer. Online anonymity practices in the file-sharing community depend on how legal and social norms correlate (more enforcement means more anonymity). Research limitations/implications The web-based survey was in English and mainly attracted visitors on The Pirate Bay’s web site. This means that it is likely that those who do not have the language skills necessary were excluded from the survey. Practical implications This study adds to the knowledge of online anonymity practices in terms of traceability and identification, and therefore describes some of the conditions for legal enforcement in a digital environment. Social implications This study adds to the knowledge of how the Internet is changing in terms of a polarization between stronger means of legally enforced identification and a growing awareness of how to be more untraceable. Originality/value The scale of the survey, with over 75,000 respondents from most parts of the world, has likely not been seen before on this topic. The descriptive study of anonymity practices in the global file-sharing community is therefore likely unique.
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| 6. |
- Rönkkö, Kari
(author)
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An activity tracker and its accompanying app as a motivator for increased exercise and better sleeping habits for youths in need of social care : field study
- 2018
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In: JMIR mHealth and uHealth. - : Journal of medical Internet Research. - 2291-5222. ; 6:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The number of mobile self-tracking devices connected to the Web has exploded in today’s society. With these wearable activity trackers related to Web 2.0 apps and social media have come new ways of monitoring, measuring, representing, and sharing experiences of the human body. New opportunities related to health and new areas of implementation for professionals have appeared, and one identified area that can benefit from mobile health technologies is social work. Objective: There are still only a small number of papers reporting the results from studying wearable activity trackers and accompanying apps in the context of agency-based social work. This study aimed to contribute to the identified shortage by presenting results from a research project framed by the following overarching question: What effects will the studied youths in need of social care experience in relation to exercise and sleep as the result of using a wearable activity tracker and its accompanying app? Methods: A field study framed by action research was performed. The study concerned vulnerable youths living in a Swedish municipality’s care and accommodation home that tried out an activity tracker and its accompanying app. Results: The results from the study confirm previously published research results reporting that instant graphical feedback, sharing information, and being part of a social community can have a positive impact on lifestyle changes. In addition, this study’s main results are that (1) the most important factor for positive health-related lifestyle changes was the establishment of personal long-term goals and (2) professional social workers found the studied technology to function as a valuable counseling tool, opening up avenues for lifestyle talks that otherwise were hard to undertake. Conclusions : This study demonstrates how an activity tracker and its accompanying app can open up a topic for discussion regarding how vulnerable youths can achieve digital support for changing unhealthy lifestyle patterns, and it shows that the technology might be a valuable counseling tool for professionals in social work.
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| 7. |
- Rönkkö, Kari
(author)
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Interpretation, interaction and reality construction in software engineering : An explanatory model
- 2007
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In: Information and Software Technology. - : Elsevier. - 0950-5849 .- 1873-6025. ; 49:6, s. 682-693
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The incorporation of social issues in software engineering is limited. Still, during the last 20 years the social element inherent in software development has been addressed in a number of publications that identified a lack of common concepts, models, and theories for discussing software development from this point of view. It has been suggested that we need to take interpretative and constructive views more seriously if we are to incorporate the social element in software engineering. Up till now we have lacked papers presenting 'simple' models explaining why. This article presents a model that helps us better to understand interpretation, interaction and reality construction from a natural language perspective. The concepts and categories following with the model provide a new frame of reference useful in software engineering research, teaching, and methods development.
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| 8. |
- Winter, Jeff, 1959-, et al.
(author)
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Identifying organizational barriers : A case study of usability work when developing software in the automation industry
- 2014
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In: Journal of Systems and Software. - : Elsevier. - 0164-1212 .- 1873-1228. ; 88, s. 54-73
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study investigates connections between usability efforts and organizational factors. This is an important field of research which so far appears to be insufficiently studied and discussed. It illustrates problems when working with software engineering tasks and usability requirements. It deals with a large company that manufactures industrial robots with an advanced user interface, which wanted to introduce usability KPIs, to improve product quality. The situation in the company makes this difficult, due to a combination of organizational and behavioural factors that led to a “wicked problem” that caused conflicts, breakdowns and barriers. Addressing these problems requires a holistic view that places context in the foreground and technological solutions in the background. Developing the right product requires communication and collaboration between multiple stakeholders. The inclusion of end users, who fully understand their own work context, is vital. Achieving this is dependent on organizational change, and management commitment. One step to beginning this change process may be through studying ways to introduce user-centred design processes.
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| 9. |
- Winter, Jeff, 1959-, et al.
(author)
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SPI success factors within product usability evaluation
- 2010
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In: Journal of Systems and Software. - : Elsevier. - 0164-1212 .- 1873-1228. ; 83:11, s. 2059-2072
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article presents an experience report where we compare 8 years of experience of product related usability testing and evaluation with principles for software process improvement (SPI). In theory the product and the process views are often seen to be complementary, but studies of industry have demonstrated the opposite. Therefore, more empirical studies are needed to understand and improve the present situation. We find areas of close agreement as well as areas where our work illuminates new characteristics. It has been identified that successful SPI is dependent upon being successfully combined with a business orientation. Usability and business orientation also have strong connections although this has not been extensively addressed in SPI publications. Reasons for this could be that usability focuses on product metrics whilst today's SPI mainly focuses on process metrics. Also because today's SPI is dominated by striving towards a standardized, controllable, and predictable software engineering process; whilst successful usability efforts in organisations are more about creating a creative organisational culture advocating a useful product throughout the development and product life cycle. We provide a study and discussion that supports future development when combining usability and product focus with SPI, in particular if these efforts are related to usability process improvement efforts.
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