Observing Interaction Rather Than Interfaces

TL;DR

This paper argues that observing interaction rather than interfaces addresses replication and theory-building gaps in HCI by shifting the object of study. It proposes a surjective, dual research methodology that first reveals interaction through diffraction-based property studies and then supports replication and theory-building via meta-analyses or controlled experiments. Central to the approach is the prisme interactionnel, which varies a single parameter $p$ across values $v_i$ and task levels $t_1$, $t_2$ to illuminate interaction loops and derive 'propriété interactionnelle'. The work envisions a long-term trajectory from initial observations to integrated theories, enabling a physics of interaction with practical benefits for prototype optimization and cross-context generalization.

Abstract

The science of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is populated by isolated empirical findings, often tied to specific technologies, designs, and tasks. This situation probably lies in observing the wrong object of study, that is to say, observing interfaces rather than interaction. This paper proposes an experimental methodology, powered by a research methodology, that enables tackling the ambition of observing interaction (rather than interfaces). These observations are done during the treatment of applicative cases, allowing to generate and replicate results covering various experimental conditions, expressed from the need of end users and the evolution of technologies. Performing these observations when developing applicative prototypes illustrating novel technologies' utility allows, in the same time, to benefit from an optimization of these prototypes to better accomplish end users tasks. This paper depicts a long term research direction, from generating the initial observations of interaction properties and their replication, to their integration, that would then lead to exploring the possible relations existing between those properties, to end toward the description of human-computer interaction's physics.