Adopting Diffractive Reading to Advance HCI Research: A Case Study on Technology for Aging

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Gerontology
• Sociotechnical Systems

Background:

• Critical reflections on technology for older adults are emerging.
• Internet of Things (IoT) for aging in place is a focal point of industry and government interest.
• Existing approaches to HCI for aging in place warrant re-examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce diffractive analysis as a novel research methodology.
• Examine differences within data to gain new empirical understanding.
• Critically analyze methods and topics in HCI research for aging populations.

Main Methods:

• Dataset collected from an Internet of Things (IoT) design workshop.
• Three distinct analyses were performed on the dataset.
• Diffractive analysis was applied to synthesize findings and reveal deeper insights.

Main Results:

• Identified how participants are inscribed within research designs.
• Explored transferability and novelty of research concerning older adults.
• Provided insights into methodological implications and researcher roles.

Conclusions:

• Diffractive analysis offers a valuable lens for understanding HCI research complexities.
• Researchers should form diverse teams and acknowledge their roles.
• Recommendations are provided for applying diffractive analysis to future research agendas.