Identifying UX Principles Within
Social Science Research
Overview
Hawai‘i's marine ecosystems serve as social and economic lifelines. My work aimed to unravel and illuminate complex relationships through participatory, qualitative research. This case study highlights how UX research and design principles were naturally woven throughout this scientific endeavor.
My Role Lead researcher, author
Methods Workshops, surveys, interviews, conceptual modeling
Project Type Social science research for environmental agency
Publication Date 2018
Background
Hawai‘i's marine ecosystems are not simply a paradise; they are complex, interwoven systems with ecological and cultural significance. They are also under threat from deleterious human impacts. Understanding how human impacts relate and compound is crucial for sustaining community well-being.
The Challenge:
I needed to navigate the social-ecological complexity and understand how human activities and natural processes coalesce. Traditional research methods could only scratch the surface, so I needed to adopt an interdisciplinary approach that would do justice to the intricate social-ecological fabric of Hawai‘i.
The Strategy:
I needed to develop a methodological framework that was both rigorous and flexible, capable of capturing the nuances that singluar approaches might overlook. It was clear that a conventional approach would not suffice; a more holistic, user-centered methodology was needed to truly understand and address the issues at hand. I developed a participatory process that gathered qualitative data from local stakeholders.
Process
This research was based on Hawai‘i Island.
Identifying the Stakeholders
Just like in UX design, identifying the 'users' (in this case, stakeholders) was the first step. The stakeholders included a group of local environmental resource managers, scientists, and community members. This multifaceted user persona approach allowed me to capture diverse perspectives, unique knowledge, and insights into the ecosystem.
Research Methods
I employed a variety of methods to gather data: workshops, interviews, and surveys. These methods mirror UX research techniques used to understand user behavior. I chose these methods to help stakeholders reveal how ecosystem components interacted, and the impacts they believed these interactions would have on critical services that the ecosystem provides. (I’m going to avoid the details in this case study, but you can learn more about ecosystem services here if you’re interested.)
These participatory methods provided a platform for iterative feedback from stakeholders, allowing for continuous improvement and validation of proposed solutions.
Additionally, I developed conceptual models to serve as the project's “information architecture,” to map out the complexity that participants identified. Conceptual models, enriched by stakeholder input, helped investigate interactions, pain points, and impacts within the social-ecological system. This also helped me identify actionable recommendations for local environmental management.
Although a little overwhelming, this spider-web of a conceptual model allowed me to provide clarity on the complex relationships identified by stakeholders.
Unexpected Results
After collecting and analyzing the data, I developed key findings to improve ecosystem management strategies. Within these results, it was clear that something was happening among cultural elements. Participants had highlighted that cultural ecosystem services would be impacted the most, essentially making them the most vulnerable to the damage inflicted by human pressures. While not an intended research outcome, this has had a substantial impact on local management strategy. (And this emphasizes the importance of doing research–people/users often surprise us!)
The study also emphasized how local resource management could make a tangible, positive impact, much like how effective UX design can improve real-world problems for people.
Stakeholders determined an “impact score” for each ecosystem element discussed. The cultural elements had the highest impact scores of all.
Results
Social Science & User Experience Crossover
This journey through Hawai‘i's marine ecosystems was not just a scientific exploration but also a UX design project in disguise. The principles of user-centered design were evident at every stage, from stakeholder identification to iterative processes. This approach not only enriched the research but also demonstrated the crossover between UX design principles and social science.
Key Take-Aways
This research identified and engaged multiple stakeholders, including resource managers, scientists, and community members, mirroring UX persona techniques.
Conducted workshops, interviews, and surveys, common UX research methods, to gather comprehensive data.
Developed conceptual ecosystem models, serving as the project's “information architecture.”
Implemented iterative feedback through participatory methods, akin to iterative design methodology.
Integrated cultural context into the research findings, emphasizing the importance of human-centered design.
Achieved tangible impact in local resource management, demonstrating the real-world applicability of good research and design.
Interested in diving deeper into the research? You can access the full publication here.