The Methodology of Participatory Design
Author: Spinuzzi, Clay
Source: Technical Communication, Volume 52, Number 2, May 2005 , pp. 163-174(12)
Publisher: Society for Technical Communication
Key:
- Free Content
- New Content
- Subscribed Content
- Free Trial Content
Abstract:
Technical communicators have lately become interested in participatory design as a way to structure and guide their research and development efforts, particularly in online media. But attempts to use participatory design - in technical communication and elsewhere - have been hampered because participatory design has typically been seen as an orientation or field rather than a methodology with its own methods, techniques, and acceptable range of research designs. In this article, I work with a range of participatory design sources to describe it as a methodology useful for technical communicators. After providing the historical and methodological grounding for understanding participatory design as a methodology, I describe its research designs, methods, criteria, and limitations. Finally, I provide guidance for applying it to technical communication research.Document Type: Research article
Key:
- Free Content
- New Content
- Subscribed Content
- Free Trial Content

Click here for Page Help