Are there recent publications comparing theories in HCI, such as Nardi's comparison of activity theory and discog?
Nardi, B. A. (1996). Studying context: A comparison of activity theory, situated action models, and distributed cognition. Context and consciousness: Activity theory and human-computer interaction, 69-102.
I am well aware of the anthologies written by Carroll (2003) and Rogers (2011), but I am interested in more detailed comparisons of theories (like those discussed in these anthologies) in the way Nardi did.
The following book's Chapter 4 provides an excellent comparison between Activity Theory, Distributed Cognition, Actor-Network Theory and Ethnomethodology according to a design perspective:
Randall, D., Harper, R., & Rouncefield, M. (2007). Fieldwork for design: theory and practice. Springe-Verlag.
A bit of a high level comparison and listing of the most popular HCI theories and their background provides Yvonne Rogers 2012 book:
Rogers, Y. (2012). HCI theory: classical, modern, and contemporary. Synthesis Lectures on Human-Centered Informatics, 5(2), 1-129.
http://www.morganclaypool.com/doi/abs/10.2200/S00418ED1V01Y201205HCI014
Thanks to you all for these suggestions! I cannot avoid the impression that it is not very common in our field to compare theories. Any suggestions why?
Hello Koen,
when I recollect presentations and discussions in the more practice-oriented community, I'd rather say that we are not just looking at a lack of interest in such comparisons. If designers review those theories at all, they just pick out what they like. So, why compare? (Sorry, colleagues! But that has been my personal impression, so far).
Maybe what is missing is the awareness what advantages come along with a coherent theoretical approach. And what impact does your theorical viewpoint have on your design activities and on the results? Is there any literature about that or maybe even empirical data? That would be great.
Best regards,
Jan
Understand your interest. As a practitioner who has a theoretical background I find it difficult to find people to talk to re theory and relative merits and how the theory impacts on design. As pointed out there are a limited number of books in this area. I integrate aspects of a number of HCI theories in my work. Some time ago I wrote two articles on how I operationalize activity theory using models and theorist of HCI. They do not compare the theories but outline how I perceive the strengths of each theory. The links are below, they maybe of interest.
Best REegards
Pat
http://www.humantechnology.jyu.fi/articles/volume8/2012/Lehane.pdf
http://www.humantechnology.jyu.fi/articles/volume8/2012/Lehane2.pdf
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