I am an experienced Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researcher and Design Ethnographer. I am particularly strong in using HCI and ethnography complementarily to elicit user requirements.

HCI methods are good at helping interaction designers make decisions. I am familiar with HCI methods including Scenario-Based Design, Contextual Inquiry, structured interview, survey, and usability testing. I am also proficient in advanced statistical tools such as factor analysis, cluster analysis, and multiple regression analysis.

Ethnography is good at identifying the functions and forms of products even before they are conceived. Contrary to a myth within the HCI industry, ethnography is not merely observing what users do. Ethnography is a collection of methods performed in multiple contexts aiming at understanding how a product will fit into the home or workplace. I am currently working on integrating social network analysis as a quantitative tool for ethnography.

I had four years working experience in the industry and five years in the academia (Master degree and current Ph.D research). In the industry, I had worked for Honeywell labs as an intern and Senior Researcher and won three awards and two patents. I had also consulted for Dell and a few research institutions. In my master program, I had worked with Professor Martin Helander on technologies for the aged. Currently, as part of my Ph.D dissertation, I am working with Professor Bonnie Nardi examining emerging work practices associated with new media (see section: Research Areas).

I am proficient in English and Chinese and have performed research in U.S., China, and Singapore.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact me?
Emails:-
mail [at] kowym [dot] com
ykow [at] uci [dot] edu