Category: Interviews

Sneak peek at our new project

We are delighted that the PortoPilot project, coordinated by our colleague at the Human-Centred Design group, has been approved for funding in the Porto Challenges area framework.

The main objective of the PortoPilot project is to tackle loneliness of older people by training them in using new technologies. The project will comprise focus groups (group discussions) to assess participants’ needs in terms of technology interaction (main difficulties, motivation and interest) so that researchers can identify the appropriate technologies and solutions for each person. After this initial research phase, the researchers will provide each person with the technology that has been found to be most appropriate (smartphone, tablet, activity bracelet) as well as the applications that will allow the best use of that technology in between applications developed by Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS, or applications already available for free on the market. Initial training will be given to each participant (or group of participants). During the pilot period, periodic visits will be made according to the availability and needs of the participants. During these visits, any doubts that may arise will be clarified, topics related to technology will be discussed, or training sessions will be promoted on various topics related to technology use. At the end of the pilot, interviews will be conducted with the participants to collect information about their experience during the pilot and their impressions on the use of technology, advantages and difficulties. 

The pilot will take place in Porto, and users from COLABORAR will benefit from this personalised support with technology. We are looking forward to fruitful research.

Why technology research needs a network of users

A network of users is a group of people who have agreed to participate regularly in user studies. This enables researchers to have access to users who are representative of a target group of technology in development. User recruitment turns out much quicker and easier for researchers. Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS has its own network of users. Some practice Tai Chi, others prefer to play cards, some have the latest news, others remain faithful to the traditional cell phone, some take care of their grandchildren and the house and those who never miss an opportunity to travel. It is this diversity that makes our user network so special. We get different perspectives that we incorporate to create truly meaningful technology for people.

Informed consent in research

Those who participate in our activities already know. It is the moment when we inform the participants about the activity, explaining what it consists of (a questionnaire, a usability test, an interview), what is the objective and purpose, and framing it in the project in which it is inserted. Thus, participants have information about the activity and can freely decide whether they want to participate. We explain and respond to doubts or questions and provide a paper document, which they sign, and the person responsible for the project also signs.

Laboratory data collection

The COTIDIANA project intends to develop a mobile solution that allows the collection of data from people with rheumatic diseases. In line with this goal, a team from FhP-AICOS has recently been conducting some interviews and usability tests with Rheumatic patients (some of them from the COLABORAR network).

The aim is to understand the context of the disease and its limitations for the patients. Also, with the usability tests the goal is to gather feedback from the users, helping researchers to implement a more efficient and accurate solution. The volunteers were from ADARSOL day center.

Guidelines for longitudinal studies

In 2019, our HCD team, with extensive experience in longitudinal studies, published the article entitled “Challenges and Lessons Learned from Implementing Longitudinal Studies for Self-care Technology Assessment”. Now, and based on that article, our experts have prepared a summary, with some tips and advice on how to conduct a longitudinal study.

Please, click here to access the document.

Three tips to better manage a living lab

Actively and continuously engaging users is essential to drive a living lab that supports research projects. When a project identifies the need for users, whether it is to conduct user research or usability tests of innovative health and well-being mobile apps, COLABORAR should promptly provide users. Often we recruit the same user multiple times, if he/she fits in the inclusion criteria. Our statistics show that each participant have participated in 2.7 activities in average since the project started in November 2011. This implies that we are able to maintain the users in the network and it is one of the biggest challenges of managing a living lab.Throughout the last 8 years we tried and enhanced some strategies. Here are some of the lessons that have helped us being able to maintain volunteers “actives”, that is, willing to be invited to take part in research.

1 – Show appreciation of the importance of their contribution to research

2 – Maintain contact

3 – Building trust

We are pretty sure these tips will help you to successfully manage a living lab.

World Usability Day 2019

We are celebrating the World Usability Day 2019.

We congratulate all professionals in the field and all volunteer participants in usability studies.Whether they work on objects such as tables or cars, or they work on software for computer, TV, smartphone or tablet, they are very important as their study methods enable users having good experiences on using a device.

At Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS, there is an entire team dedicated to these issues. They are engineers, designers, and other professionals working together within the Human Centred-Design team.

 

Scientific volunteering

Whether you are 18 or 80 years old, be part of innovation.

COLABORAR promotes a research approach that brings together scientists and stakeholders that have knowledge about a particular issue. It could be in the area of social assistance, healthcare services, public transportation or urban planning. Accordingly, social workers, healthcare professionals, ageing specialists and citizens are encouraged to engage in science. This is as simple as share their needs, priorities and preferences.

International organizations reccomend this collaborative model of research with the aim of improving outcomes. We are certain that our research is more valuable when it addresses the concerns of patients, professionals and users.

Be part of this initiative and influence the research we do. Shape technologies and technological services you will use. Your oppinion is important. To voluntarily engage in research, fill in the contact form.

3000 user research and testing sessions with users

We are happy to have achieved the milestone of 3000 user research and testing sessions!

In the last 7 and a half years, COLABORAR supported 3000 user research activities. Requirements gathering, user interviews, diary studies, prototype testing, card sorting, focus groups, in-person usability studies, surveys and pilot studies are the activities carried out.

The COLABORAR team could not be more glad. We learned many things during this time regarding the recruitment of people for research and testing, as well as about carrying research with users. For the next years, we expect to double this milestone!

Collecting data to develop a mobile app for psychologists

Psychologists often collect and analyse large amounts of data from their patients in their clinical practice. At Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS, an engineering student is developing a mobile app to support psychologists in their job.

Sixty COLABORAR volunteers made an important contribution to science by taking part in a session with a psychologist. The psychologist, also a volunteer, applied some psychology methods and instruments to evaluate each person.

The study received approval from an independent ethics committee. In the end of the study, participants will receive an individualized report provided by the psychologist. Many thanks to all participants for being so kind to participate in research! Your help adds value to technology, since real data are used in its development.