Design Rationale as Theory

Design rationale can contribute to the development of theory in human-computer interaction (HCI) in three ways. First, it provides a foundation for ecological science in HCI by describing the decisions and implicit causal relationships embodied in HCI artifacts. Second, it provides a foundation for action science in HCI by integrating activities directed at description and understanding with those directed at design and development. Finally, it provides a framework for a synthetic science of HCI in which the insights and predictions of diverse technical theories can be integrated. This chapter discusses how reflective HCI design practices involving design-rationale documentation and analysis can be used to closely couple theoretical concepts and methods with the designed artifacts that instantiate them.