Short answer

Actively engage with a wide range of potential users throughout the design and content creation process, rather than relying on internal assumptions about what is best.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Future Internet (2014)
Method: Qualitative research, specifically semi-structured interviews.
Sample: 23 participants
Evidence: Strong effect

Health website developers often base content and structure decisions on their own expectations and those of their immediate colleagues, rather than actively eliciting the needs of their intended diverse user populations. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in Future Internet. Using Qualitative research, specifically semi-structured interviews. with 23 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Actively engage with a wide range of potential users throughout the design and content creation process, rather than relying on internal assumptions about what is best.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Health website content creation relies on internal assumptions, neglecting diverse user needs.

Future Internet · 2014

Key Findings

01Health website developers do not systematically plan or conduct activities for content needs elicitation during design or on an ongoing basis.
02Developers primarily rely on a 'self-embodiment' standard, where their own and their peers' expectations dictate website quality and functionality.
03This approach leads to the disregard of target groups outside the developers' immediate social sphere, potentially creating new digital divides.

Application

Design takeaway

Actively engage with a wide range of potential users throughout the design and content creation process, rather than relying on internal assumptions about what is best.

How to apply

Before launching or updating a health-related digital product, conduct user research with individuals representing various age groups, educational backgrounds, and levels of digital proficiency to inform content and design decisions.

Project actions

01When designing a product, think about who will use it and actively seek their opinions, not just your own or your friends'.
02Don't assume everyone understands technology or health information the same way you do.

Method & Evidence

AimTo explore the processes webmasters and content managers use for constructing, producing, or selecting content for health websites, and to identify factors that inhibit productive internet use for health information.

MethodQualitative research, specifically semi-structured interviews.

ProcedureResearchers conducted interviews with 23 individuals responsible for building and managing health websites for public and non-public health organizations.

Sample23 participants

ContextHealth website development and content management

Variables

IVDevelopment process for health websites (e.g., reliance on internal assumptions vs. user needs elicitation).

DVProductivity of internet use for health purposes; inclusivity and usability of health websites.

CVType of health organization (public/non-public), role of the interviewee (webmaster/content manager).

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides insight into the actual practices of website developers.
+Identifies a critical gap in user needs assessment in digital health content creation.

Limitations

The sample size of website managers was relatively small, and the specific context of health websites might influence the findings.

Reliability & validity

The qualitative nature of interviews provides rich, in-depth data but may be subject to researcher interpretation. The findings are based on a specific sample of health website managers, limiting generalizability. However, the consistent theme of 'self-embodiment' suggests a potentially widespread issue.

Think critically

How might the 'self-embodiment' standard manifest in the design of non-health related digital products, and what are the potential consequences?

Design Principles

"Prioritize inclusive design by systematically gathering and integrating user needs from diverse demographics and digital literacy levels."

This internal focus can lead to websites that are not accessible or useful to a significant portion of the public, exacerbating existing digital divides. Designers must move beyond their own perspectives to ensure their digital products serve a broad audience effectively.

What This Means for Your Design

People who make health websites often just guess what users need based on what they themselves like, instead of actually asking different kinds of people what would help them.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user research and needs analysis in your design project.
2.Use the findings to justify your methods for gathering user feedback and ensuring your design is inclusive.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The development of effective digital health resources requires a departure from 'self-embodiment' standards, where designers rely on their own or their colleagues' expectations. Research by Brainin and Neter (2014) highlights that health website managers often fail to elicit user needs, leading to content and structures that inadvertently exclude diverse populations. Therefore, any design project aiming to serve a broad audience must prioritize systematic user research to ensure inclusivity and genuine utility.

Source

Future Internet

Inside Technology: Opening the Black Box of Health-Website Configuration and Content Management

journal · 2014

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about health website content creation relies on internal assumptions, neglecting diverse user needs?: Actively engage with a wide range of potential users throughout the design and content creation process, rather than relying on internal assumptions about what is best. Evidence: Future Internet (2014).
Why does "Health website content creation relies on internal assumptions, neglecting diverse user needs." matter for design?: This internal focus can lead to websites that are not accessible or useful to a significant portion of the public, exacerbating existing digital divides. Designers must move beyond their own perspectives to ensure their digital products serve a broad audience effectively.
How can designers apply this research?: Actively engage with a wide range of potential users throughout the design and content creation process, rather than relying on internal assumptions about what is best.
What were the main findings?: Health website developers do not systematically plan or conduct activities for content needs elicitation during design or on an ongoing basis.. Developers primarily rely on a 'self-embodiment' standard, where their own and their peers' expectations dictate website quality and functionality.. This approach leads to the disregard of target groups outside the developers' immediate social sphere, potentially creating new digital divides.
What research method was used?: Qualitative research, specifically semi-structured interviews. with 23 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2014 journal from Future Internet.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Before launching or updating a health-related digital product, conduct user research with individuals representing various age groups, educational backgrounds, and levels of digital proficiency to inform content and design decisions.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on health websites and may not be directly generalizable to all types of digital content. The 'self-embodiment' standard might be more prevalent in certain organizational cultures.