What is a PhD in Computer Science and HCI?

Computing science is an immature discipline and HCI still looking for its “theory”. Chris Johnson wrote 2 papers on What is Research in Computing Science? and What is a PhD in HCI? providing a high level introduction for PhD students to grasp the problems (applying standard to scientific empiricism to computing science) and challenges of the 2 disciplines.

I was aware of implementation driven research, mathematical proof techniques, empiricism, and observational studies as research methods in the field of Computer Science. However I discovered Hermeneutics as an alternative research methods that addresses the formality gap (i.e. the distance between mathematical models and reality). It stresses upon the analysis of a final implementation closely resembles proof by demonstration (field trials with real sets of data on existing architectures).a

One main problem of doing research in HCI is that its inter-disciplinary nature makes it difficult to identify clear guidelines or standards. Neither is it clear to know if HCI is a craft or an engineering discipline. Nevertheless, Johnson acknowledges a set of criteria that can be used to assess the quality of PhDs in HCI:

• A Grounding in Experimental Techniques: Candidate shows a proper grounding in experimental techniques lab-based versus contextual techniques
• A Grounding Design: the candidate contributes to the design and implementation of interactive systems.
• Understanding of inter-disciplinary research: demonstrate an understanding of inter-disciplinary research.

Of course, a PhD students should prepare for the standard questions that are asked at almost all HCI vivas:

Experimental work must be defended against accusations that it fails to explain real-world behaviours. Design innovation must be defended against criticisms that few industrial designers use the products of academic Computer Science. Inter-disciplinary research must be defended against technical criticisms drawn from each of the parent subjects.

Relation to my thesis: I am still evaluating the validity of the different approaches in computer science and understand how they apply to HCI. Empirical proof techniques is the obvious pick (with a dose of implementation driven research and observational studies) the goal being to map experimental theses with real-world analysis of situated interaction. Maybe my engineering background (and approach) will facilitates this bridge between designers and exploitable theoretical results (a current shortcoming in HCI).