Short answer
When designing health information systems, actively consider and integrate the human and physical elements that support data collection and interpretation, rather than solely focusing on the IT infrastructure.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- QSpace (Queen's University Library) (2009)
- Method
- Qualitative research
- Sample
- 64 participants
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Relying solely on large-scale IT for public health surveillance risks marginalizing the crucial material elements and human interactions that underpin effective information gathering and analysis. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2009 study published in QSpace (Queen's University Library). Using Qualitative research with 64 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing health information systems, actively consider and integrate the human and physical elements that support data collection and interpretation, rather than solely focusing on the IT infrastructure.
Materiality of Data: Uncovering Hidden Dependencies in Health Surveillance Systems
Relying solely on large-scale IT for public health surveillance risks marginalizing the crucial material elements and human interactions that underpin effective information gathering and analysis.
QSpace (Queen's University Library) · 2009
Key Findings
- 01Dominant public health discourse and IT investments prioritize an 'immaterial' conception of information, overlooking its material dependencies.
- 02Large-scale IT-mediated surveillance systems tend to obscure or marginalize the complex material assemblages (people, machines, microbes, organizations) essential for effective surveillance.
- 03The focus on IT can lead to an underestimation of the human effort, physical infrastructure, and contextual factors that enable data to be meaningful.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing health information systems, actively consider and integrate the human and physical elements that support data collection and interpretation, rather than solely focusing on the IT infrastructure.
How to apply
When developing any system that relies on data, map out not just the digital pathways but also the physical locations, equipment, and human roles involved in generating, processing, and consuming that data.
Project actions
- 01When researching a design problem, consider the 'stuff' and the 'people' involved, not just the digital aspects.
- 02Think about how your design might make the hidden parts of a system more visible.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Employs qualitative methods to explore complex socio-technical issues in depth.
- +Focuses on a real-world, critical domain (public health surveillance).
Limitations
The findings are based on interviews and may not capture all nuances of system use. The specific context of Ontario's public health system might differ from other regions.
Reliability & validity
The study's validity is strengthened by its qualitative depth and focus on real-world experiences. Reliability might be a concern due to the subjective nature of interviews, but the triangulation of findings across participants would enhance it.
Think critically
To what extent does the pursuit of technological efficiency in information systems inadvertently lead to a degradation of understanding and usability by obscuring essential human and material factors?
Design Principles
"Design for visibility of material dependencies in information systems."
Designers and engineers developing health information systems must recognize that data is not purely abstract. The physical infrastructure, the people involved in data collection and interpretation, and the context of use all significantly impact the reliability and utility of surveillance information.
What This Means for Your Design
Even though computers seem to handle information, real people and physical things are still super important for making that information work, especially in health. We need to remember that when we design systems.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of considering the human and physical context of data in your design project, especially if your project involves information systems or healthcare.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights that effective design of information systems, particularly in critical areas like public health surveillance, requires a deep understanding of the 'material dimensions of information.' The study found that an over-reliance on large-scale IT can obscure the essential human and physical elements involved in data collection and analysis. Therefore, when developing design solutions, it is imperative to consider and integrate these often-marginalized material assemblages to ensure the system's robustness and the meaningfulness of the data it produces.
Source
QSpace (Queen's University Library)
Picturing Public Health Surveillance: Tracing the Material Dimensions of Information in Ontario's Public Health System
journal · 2009
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about materiality of data: uncovering hidden dependencies in health surveillance systems?
- When designing health information systems, actively consider and integrate the human and physical elements that support data collection and interpretation, rather than solely focusing on the IT infrastructure. Evidence: QSpace (Queen's University Library) (2009).
- Why does "Materiality of Data: Uncovering Hidden Dependencies in Health Surveillance Systems" matter for design?
- Designers and engineers developing health information systems must recognize that data is not purely abstract. The physical infrastructure, the people involved in data collection and interpretation, and the context of use all significantly impact the reliability and utility of surveillance information.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing health information systems, actively consider and integrate the human and physical elements that support data collection and interpretation, rather than solely focusing on the IT infrastructure.
- What were the main findings?
- Dominant public health discourse and IT investments prioritize an 'immaterial' conception of information, overlooking its material dependencies.. Large-scale IT-mediated surveillance systems tend to obscure or marginalize the complex material assemblages (people, machines, microbes, organizations) essential for effective surveillance.. The focus on IT can lead to an underestimation of the human effort, physical infrastructure, and contextual factors that enable data to be meaningful.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative research with 64 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2009 journal from QSpace (Queen's University Library).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing any system that relies on data, map out not just the digital pathways but also the physical locations, equipment, and human roles involved in generating, processing, and consuming that data.
- What are the limitations?
- The study's findings are specific to the context of public health surveillance in Ontario and may not be directly generalizable to all information systems or all healthcare settings.