Co-designing web-based tools for graduate students: a narrative account of a participatory design action research
Graduate programs worldwide exhibit a high dropout rate, with numerous contributing factors. Among these, isolation and lack of writing support are significant. This methodological article explores the design process of two web applications supporting graduate students' social and academic need...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125003948 |
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| author | Laura Iseut Lafrance St-Martin Émilie Tremblay-Wragg Sara Mathieu-Chartier |
| author_facet | Laura Iseut Lafrance St-Martin Émilie Tremblay-Wragg Sara Mathieu-Chartier |
| author_sort | Laura Iseut Lafrance St-Martin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Graduate programs worldwide exhibit a high dropout rate, with numerous contributing factors. Among these, isolation and lack of writing support are significant. This methodological article explores the design process of two web applications supporting graduate students' social and academic needs. It was a collaborative user experience design project involving researchers (including research coordinators), potential users, a non-profit organization, and a web developer. We present the main phases of the study, highlighting the development challenges we faced and their resolutions. The discussion offers six key co-design process lessons to benefit future design research endeavors: 1) take the time to build team cohesion, 2) both types of co-design sessions (knowledge and descriptive) are helpful, but at different moments, 3) do not be afraid to tackle difficult problems with your co-researchers and to admit your limitations, 4) know the co-researchers’ strengths and competencies, 5) fluid communication takes time but is essential and 6) don't be afraid to politically engage your co-researchers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ba9925dd528d4948b7cb1e8a18f44979 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2590-2911 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-ba9925dd528d4948b7cb1e8a18f449792025-08-20T03:24:08ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112025-01-011210166610.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101666Co-designing web-based tools for graduate students: a narrative account of a participatory design action researchLaura Iseut Lafrance St-Martin0Émilie Tremblay-Wragg1Sara Mathieu-Chartier2Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, École des arts numériques, de l'animation et du design (NAD-UQAC), Ilot Balmoral, 1501 rue de Bleury, 7e étage, Montréal (Québec), H3A 0H3, Canada; Corresponding author.Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888, succ. Centre-ville, Montréal (Québec), H3C 3P8, CanadaUniversité Laval, 2325, rue de l'Université, Québec (Québec), G1V, 0A6, CanadaGraduate programs worldwide exhibit a high dropout rate, with numerous contributing factors. Among these, isolation and lack of writing support are significant. This methodological article explores the design process of two web applications supporting graduate students' social and academic needs. It was a collaborative user experience design project involving researchers (including research coordinators), potential users, a non-profit organization, and a web developer. We present the main phases of the study, highlighting the development challenges we faced and their resolutions. The discussion offers six key co-design process lessons to benefit future design research endeavors: 1) take the time to build team cohesion, 2) both types of co-design sessions (knowledge and descriptive) are helpful, but at different moments, 3) do not be afraid to tackle difficult problems with your co-researchers and to admit your limitations, 4) know the co-researchers’ strengths and competencies, 5) fluid communication takes time but is essential and 6) don't be afraid to politically engage your co-researchers.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125003948Co-designMethodologyGraduate students' needsAcademic writingParticipatory researchWeb applications |
| spellingShingle | Laura Iseut Lafrance St-Martin Émilie Tremblay-Wragg Sara Mathieu-Chartier Co-designing web-based tools for graduate students: a narrative account of a participatory design action research Social Sciences and Humanities Open Co-design Methodology Graduate students' needs Academic writing Participatory research Web applications |
| title | Co-designing web-based tools for graduate students: a narrative account of a participatory design action research |
| title_full | Co-designing web-based tools for graduate students: a narrative account of a participatory design action research |
| title_fullStr | Co-designing web-based tools for graduate students: a narrative account of a participatory design action research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Co-designing web-based tools for graduate students: a narrative account of a participatory design action research |
| title_short | Co-designing web-based tools for graduate students: a narrative account of a participatory design action research |
| title_sort | co designing web based tools for graduate students a narrative account of a participatory design action research |
| topic | Co-design Methodology Graduate students' needs Academic writing Participatory research Web applications |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125003948 |
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