TITLE: Integrating the User into Research on Engineering Design Systems
AUTHORS: Piela, P., Katzenberg, B., and McKelvey, R. 
PUBLICATION: Research in Engineering Design, Vol. 3, 211-221
PUBLISHER: Springer-Verlag, New York Inc.
DATE: 1992
ABSTRACT: Engineering design research has historically been evaluated in 
terms of its computational performance. However, in many cases this 
research implies hypotheses about human behavior which are ignored. In 
this paper, we argue that the systems emerging from design research will 
benefit from investigating how people use them to accomplish work, and 
from the incorporation of principles of Participatory Design (Floyd et al., 
1989) at the earliest stages of the development process. Using a case study, 
we present the evolution of a CAD system that supports complex 
mathematical modeling. This design effort is examined according to 
principles outlined in another well-documented effort in Participatory Design. 
Finally, despite the common misconception that such considerations impede 
basic research, we argue that continuous user involvement can guide 
research by validating experimental hypotheses and pointing to areas for 
future inquiry.