i am suggesting to go one step further from evidence based (which assumes
evidence to have some kind of factuality on its own) and evidence-informed
(which at least acknowledges the impact that evidence could have on a
design) to making claims that are backed up by compelling arguments (which
acknowledges that design is a claims making activity that might well involve
the results of experiments, surveys, extrapolations of valid theories,
including being intelligible, appealing and providing opportunities to
addressees of the claims).
the notion of evidence disconnects what the evidence is for (a design) and
for whom this is so (their stakeholders) as if evidence were something
independent of human beings
klaus
-----Original Message-----
From: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related
research in Design [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David
Sless
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 8:45 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Evidence-Based Design
On 28/10/2008, at 8:58 PM, Sarah Rosenbaum wrote:
> Although I agree wholeheartedly that the use of evidence has an
> important and under-recognized potential in many areas of design
> practice, I think we should avoid the term "evidence-based" from the
> start. "Evidence- informed design" more correctly recognizes the
> complexity of the design process that, among other things, also
> involves the values and preferences (of both client and designer) as
> well as the professional knowledge and experience of the designing
> practitioner.
I agree, I think the subtle shift from evidence-based to evidence- informed
is important. But this can often be a fudge, an excuse to do what you wanted
to anyway.. The more important issue is outcome. I tend, therefore, to
prefer the term performance-based. When we talk about evidence, we are
largely concerned with evidence of outcome, performance. The question we ask
is whether or not we can provide evidence of an agreed and acceptable
outcome.
It's all about means and ends. If you use good evidence but achieve a bad
outcome, you might as well not bother.
David
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