scholarly journals Informatics and the Challenge of Determinism

Sci ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Philip Moore ◽  
Hai Van Pham
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Disruptive Innovation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Technological Determinism ◽  
Information Systems Design ◽  
Novel Technologies

Motivation: There is a paradox at the heart of informatics where practical implementation generally fails to understand the socio-technical impact of novel technologies and disruptive innovation when adopted in ‘real-world’ systems. This phenomenon, termed technological determinism, is manifested in a time-lag between the adoption of novel technologies and an understanding of the underlying theory which develops following research into their adoption. Methods: We consider informatics theory as it relates to: social informatics and how humans’ function in society, the relationship between society and technology, information systems, information systems design, and human–computer interactions. The challenges posed by novel technologies and disruptive innovation are considered as they relate to information systems and information systems design. Open research questions with directions for future research are discussed with an introduction to and our proposed approach to socio-technical information system design. Significance: We conclude that the adoption of disruptive innovation presents both opportunities and threats for all stakeholders in computerised systems. However, determinism is a topic requiring research to generate a suitable level of understanding and technological determinism remains a significant challenge.

scholarly journals Informatics and the Challenge of Determinism

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Moore ◽  
Hai Pham
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Disruptive Innovation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Technological Determinism ◽  
Information Systems Design ◽  
Novel Technologies

Motivation: there is a paradox at the heart of informatics where practical implementation generally fails to understand the socio-technical impact of novel technologies and disruptive innovation when adopted in `real-world’ systems. This phenomenon, termed technological determinism, is manifested in a time-lag between the adoption of novel technologies and an understanding of the underlying theory which develops following research into their adoption. Methods: we consider informatics theory as it relates to: social informatics and how humans’ function in society, the relationship between society and technology, information systems, information systems design, and human-computer interactions. The challenges posed by novel technologies and disruptive innovation are considered as they relate to information systems and information systems design. Open research questions with directions for future research are discussed with an introduction to and our proposed approach to socio-technical information system design. Significance: we conclude that the adoption of disruptive innovation presents both opportunities and threats for all stakeholders in computerised systems. However, determinism is a topic requiring research to generate a suitable level of understanding and technological determinism remains a significant challenge.

A Disability-Aware Mentality to Information Systems Design and Development

2019 ◽  
pp. 267-278
Author(s):  
Julius T. Nganji
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information Systems Design ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
E Learning

With the proliferation of information technology devices comes a massive increase in the number of information systems that are developed to meet the demands of users. By default, designers and developers of information systems tend to design for users without disabilities. The consequences for people with disabilities are enormous. This chapter aims to propose a disability-aware approach to information systems design that advocates that stakeholders consider the needs of people with disabilities throughout development. This aim is achieved by reviewing some of the difficulties encountered by people with disabilities when interacting with information systems, proposing a disability-aware approach and examining how this could be practically implemented through e-learning design. The recommendations from 48 students with disabilities from two universities in the United Kingdom and Canada are presented. The chapter also looks at possible future research for those interested in pursuing such approach.

A Disability-Aware Mentality to Information Systems Design and Development

2018 ◽  
pp. 314-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius T. Nganji
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information Systems Design ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
E Learning

With the proliferation of information technology devices also comes a massive increase in the number of information systems that are developed to meet the demands of users. By default, designers and developers of information systems tend to design for users without disabilities. The consequences for people with disabilities are enormous. This chapter aims to propose a disability-aware approach to information systems design that advocates that stakeholders consider the needs of people with disabilities throughout development. This aim is achieved by reviewing some of the difficulties encountered by people with disabilities when interacting with information systems, proposing a disability-aware approach and examining how this could be practically implemented through e-learning design. The recommendations from 48 students with disabilities from two universities in the United Kingdom and Canada are presented. The chapter also looks at possible future research for those interested in pursuing such approach.

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