Comparative Studies of Design Evaluation: Reflections from the Design of Multimedia Assisted Medical Informed Consent

Abstract

Contemporary design is increasingly interdisciplinary, The purpose of the thesis is to develop a framework of design evaluation that can incorporate different disciplinary approaches and provide comprehensive dimensions to allow evaluation configuration tailored for different purposes, The thesis first describes the multimedia design practice for medical informed consent and analyzes why evaluations of its effectiveness are needed. A case analysis of designing multimedia assisted medical informed consent (there after MAMIC) serves as an example to illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of modem design practice s, Also, the case is used to explain why an interdisciplinary approach might help us to better realize the benefit s of design practices, Drawing upon literatures of different disciplines related to the design of MAMIC such as (health) communication, health education/promotion, and educational technology, a comparative study of design evaluation is conducted. By juxtaposing the ways evaluation is theorized, researched, and practiced in different fields related to MAMIC design, and referring back to the case of MAMIC design practices, a preliminary interdisciplinary framework of design evaluation is proposed. At the end of the thesis, suggestions for evaluating MAMIC design are offered.