Web Design Theory

Ted Frick

July 10, 2008

 

Questions about Design:

If you know how to use a hammer and saw, does that mean you can design and build good houses?

OR

If you know how to use a word processor, does that mean you are a good writer -- e.g., you can write a novel or a technical report?

OR

If you know how to make a Website (e.g., with HTML, Dreamweaver, Photoshop), does that mean you are a good Web designer?

Not!

 

 

Foundations: theoretical underpinnings

1. Nine types of knowledge created by research

 

 
Types of Knowledge of Education

 

 
1. Indexical (unique, specific, none-other)
2. Practical (how-to-do, particular, replicable)
3. Theoretical  (universal, abstract, generalizable)

Types of Research Questions According to Axiology

a. Non-axiological:
What is or was it?

1a

2a

3a

b. Instrumental: What is it good for?

1b

2b

3b
Design Theory

c. Intrinsic:
Is it worthwhile?

1c

2c

3c

 

See: Epistemology of Educology: A Framework for Knowledge Claims about Education (pdf) (Frick, 2008)

2. Empirically tested guidelines or principles for Web design processes are Type 3b knowledge -- i.e., they have generalizable instrumental value; hence constitute theory for Web design.

Design processes for informational Websites

Design processes for instructional Websites

See my research groups for recent activities at: http://www.indiana.edu/~tedfrick/research_groups.html