Value Sensitive Design
Value Sensitive Design, or VSD, is a theoretically grounded approach to design that accounts for human values in a principled and comprehensive manner[1]. The term stems from the interest of designing technology and information systems that support enduring human values. Value sensitive design is an attempt to provide a theoretical and methodological framework with which to handle the aspect of value in design work[1].
Contents
History
This concept was developed by Batya Friedman and Peter Kahn at the University of Washington Information School in the late 1980s. The Value Sensitive Design (VSD) Research Group was founded in 1999 at the University of Washington by Batya Friedman in an effort to bring together Washington State faculty, students and stakeholders that want to design and develop new technologies that are created human-centered values in mind[2].
Mechanics of Value Sensitive Design
Conceptual Investigations
Conceptual Investigations include conducting research on who the direct and indirect stakeholders affected by the design are. Researchers look at the profile of these stakeholders and determine how both classes of these stakeholders will be affected. This conceptual investigation also looks at which values should be implicated in the design. This includes determining how the value itself should be balanced with different designs and use of information systems[1]. A conceptual analysis of the value itself is completed as well. This analysis can be used to determine if a value is moral or non-moral and should be used to implement in a design.
Empirical Investigations
Empirical Investigations are used to evaluate the success of a particular design. Many researchers who conduct empirical investigations use the same methods used in social science research, including surveys, raw observations, interviews, literature reviews, and experimental manipulations. User behavior and human physiology are also studied heavily[1].
Technical Investigations
Technical Investigations involve researching how already existing technologies either support or hinder human values[1]. After this research is conducted, the design of a new system can begin that supports the chosen value identified in the initial conceptual investigation. Researchers keep in mind the improvements that could be made to the already existing technology and implement this into the design of the new system.
Problems
What Values to Include in Design?
One issue presented when engaging in the design value sensitive design process is deciding what values to implement into a design. There is an issue in this decision, as one must decide which values are worth including in the design and which are not. There is uncertainty that a given value that is non-moral can be distinguished from a value that is moral. This requires both judgment and the room for discussion and disagreement[3].
How to use these values to shape the design process
Choosing between conflicting values
Verifying the designed system embodies the intended values
Ethics in Value Sensitive Design
Privacy
Bias in Design
Examples
The Voyeur's Motel
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Himma, Kenneth Einar; Tavani, Herman T., eds. (2008). The Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics (PDF). John Wiley & Sons Inc. ISBN 978-0-471-79959-7. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ↑ “Value Sensitive Design.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Feb. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_sensitive_design.
- ↑ Poel, Ibo. (2010). Value-sensitive design: four challenges.
