Paper Reading #1: There's Methodology in the Madness: Toward Critical HCI Ethnography

Comments:

Shena Hoffmann - http://csce436-hoffmann.blogspot.com/2011/01/reading-1-theres-methodology-in-madness.html?showComment=1295528233035#c6445829508038446680
Jessica Gonzales- http://jngonzales-chi2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/reading-1-theres-methodology-in-madness.html

Reference Information: 

• Title: There's Methodology in the Madness: Toward Critical HCI Ethnography
• Authors: Amanda Williams and Lilly Irani
• Presentation: (Conference Paper) CHI 2010, April 10-15, 2010, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Summary:

The first part of the paper explains that there are new methodologies showing up in HCI publications that extend from the standard representation of the user and the field sites of ethnography development. The first trend is an evolution of the standard user, they are having users that today collaborate in a different way than they used to. The second trend is related to field sites; they are evolving from set workplaces to mobile or virtual field sites, which in turn allow for multi-sited ethnographic studies.

Two examples of new methodologies been used on the field are explained. The first one explaining the importance of being able to refine the design methods according to the field site, not the field site to the design models. Have an open mind to whatever situation you discover in the field, because it can be very different from what you expected. In the second example we see an evolution from the "neutral observer," to an ethnographer that now also plays a role in the design, implementation and even the technology support for the studies. Also, in this example we can find how participants were involved in the design, and not just being observed by the ethnographers.

The next section of the paper just demonstrates in solid examples how the role of the user is shifting to include also a design component. Then, the authors follow to explain the importance of mobility, Following the users through out multiple sites will produce a better of understanding of how technology becomes "usable, useful, and desirable." Also, it may lead to recognize similarities between cultures, something they associate with globalization.

The authors follow to analyze the relationships between ethnographers and informants, as wells as problems with the concept of field site withing anthropology.They also expose the evolution that ethnography went through in the discipline of anthropology during the 80s and 90s. 

 

Discussion:
The concept of ethnography is a new concept to me. I have mentioned that I am always interested in learning about cultures, but I was never aware of this discipline and how important it becomes for technology development. My first exposure to ethnography was reading the first chapter of the book Coming of Age in Samoa. After reading this paper it becomes more clear to me how this discipline is so important for the field of HCI and developing technology that is useful for us.

Personally, I agree with the evolutions that the field is facing. For example, who better than the user to explain and/or design the product they are interested in buying. This reminds me of those ads about Windows 7 and how they credit the users for new ideas that finally became Windows 7. About mobility and multi-sited ethnographic studies all I can say is that the methodologies of the studies have to evolve according to the life style of the users. Why are house phones becoming obsolete? Because people are on the move everyday.