Short answer

Designers and developers working in specialized fields should proactively integrate established software engineering best practices and ensure clear, collaborative roles for domain experts to create more robust and effective applications.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (2023)
Method: Systematic Review and Survey
Sample: 21 studies included in the review; 12 survey respondents.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Sports science app development often lacks robust software engineering principles and a clearly defined role for domain experts, hindering effective product creation. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. Using Systematic review and survey with 21 studies included in the review; 12 survey respondents., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and developers working in specialized fields should proactively integrate established software engineering best practices and ensure clear, collaborative roles for domain experts to create more robust and effective applications.

Study

Innovation & DesignRecentModerate effect

Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Software Engineering Practices in Sports Science App Development

Sports science app development often lacks robust software engineering principles and a clearly defined role for domain experts, hindering effective product creation.

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · 2023

Key Findings

01The development process was described in only a small fraction of reviewed studies.
02Knowledge regarding security measures, underlying technology, and source code management was limited among survey respondents.
03Sports scientists were able to contribute to functional requirements and features but their role in app development was often ill-defined, with many identifying as research assistants.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When initiating a design project for a specialized application, conduct a thorough review of existing software engineering practices relevant to the domain and establish clear roles for all stakeholders, especially domain experts, from the outset.

Project actions

01When developing an app, consider using a structured development process like Agile or Waterfall.
02Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all team members, including subject matter experts.

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess the current state of app development in sports science, specifically examining the integration of software engineering principles and the clarity of the sports scientist's role in the development process.

MethodSystematic Review and Survey

ProcedureA systematic review of academic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore) was conducted using the PICO schema to identify relevant studies. Information on development process, functional requirements, security, technology, and dissemination was extracted. A survey was also administered to professionals in an exemplary academic setting, focusing on similar themes.

Sample21 studies included in the review; 12 survey respondents.

ContextSports science app development within an academic setting.

Variables

IVInvolvement of software engineering principles; Clarity of sports scientist role.

DVEffectiveness of app development process; Quality of app features.

CVSpecific app domain (sports science); Academic setting.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Combines a systematic review with a practical survey for a comprehensive view.
+Addresses a relevant and growing area of digital health.

Limitations

The findings might not apply to all app development contexts, especially those with more mature software engineering practices.

Reliability & validity

The systematic review employed independent reviewers, enhancing reliability. The survey's validity would depend on the survey design and respondent interpretation.

Think critically

How might the lack of clear roles for domain experts impact the usability and effectiveness of the final application?

Design Principles

"Integrate domain expertise and robust software engineering principles throughout the product development lifecycle."

Understanding the current limitations in app development processes within specialized fields like sports science is crucial for improving product quality, user experience, and the overall success of digital health initiatives. By addressing these gaps, designers and developers can create more effective and reliable tools for their target users.

What This Means for Your Design

When making apps for sports science, people don't always know the best ways to build software, and it's not always clear what the sports scientists should be doing in the app-making process.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of structured development processes and stakeholder involvement in your design project's methodology section.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research indicates that in specialized fields such as sports science app development, there is often a deficit in the application of robust software engineering principles and a lack of clarity regarding the role of domain experts. This suggests that for successful product development, a structured approach incorporating established software engineering methodologies and clearly defined stakeholder contributions is essential.

Source

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

App development in a sports science setting: A systematic review and lessons learned from an exemplary setting to generate recommendations for the app development process

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about bridging the gap: enhancing software engineering practices in sports science app development?: Designers and developers working in specialized fields should proactively integrate established software engineering best practices and ensure clear, collaborative roles for domain experts to create more robust and effective applications. Evidence: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (2023).
Why does "Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Software Engineering Practices in Sports Science App Development" matter for design?: Understanding the current limitations in app development processes within specialized fields like sports science is crucial for improving product quality, user experience, and the overall success of digital health initiatives. By addressing these gaps, designers and developers can create more effective and reliable tools for their target users.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers and developers working in specialized fields should proactively integrate established software engineering best practices and ensure clear, collaborative roles for domain experts to create more robust and effective applications.
What were the main findings?: The development process was described in only a small fraction of reviewed studies.. Knowledge regarding security measures, underlying technology, and source code management was limited among survey respondents.. Sports scientists were able to contribute to functional requirements and features but their role in app development was often ill-defined, with many identifying as research assistants.
What research method was used?: Systematic Review and Survey with 21 studies included in the review; 12 survey respondents..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Frontiers in Sports and Active Living.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When initiating a design project for a specialized application, conduct a thorough review of existing software engineering practices relevant to the domain and establish clear roles for all stakeholders, especially domain experts, from the outset.
What are the limitations?: The review focused on a specific academic setting, and the survey sample size was relatively small.