May Mallahzadeh ⏤ 2024
Web-based Impact Assessment and Collaboration Platform
Transforming Research Findings into a Web-Based Platform for Assessing Impact and Enhancing Collaboration Among Scholars in Arts and Humanities
ROLE
Design, Research
METHODOLOGIES
Journey Map | Co-design | Card Sorting | Brain Storming and Ideation Sessions | Research Planning
PROJECT TYPE
Design and Research
OUTCOME
Designed a prototype platform to be tested and entered for receiving a grant for launch.
COLLOBORATORS
Graphic Designer | Design Researcher | Professor of English | Program Coordinator
Global Arts + Humanities Discovery Theme (GAHDT)
The Global Arts + Humanities Discovery Theme (GAHDT) expands Ohio State’s capacity for cross-disciplinary research that foregrounds the transformative role of artistic and humanistic methods and practices to drive social change.
Problem
Assessing the impact of arts and humanities research is difficult compared to other fields. Traditional metrics like publication counts, citations, performances, grants, and awards often overlook the processes that facilitate these achievements, missing important context and stages of action and change. This project aims to visualize and make usable the research that seeks to clarify methods and broaden the understanding of what constitutes impact.
How can impact be redefined?
How to make the research usable?
Solution
A year-long research project explored various methodologies for assessing impact, from conventional frameworks to those aligned with collaborative practices. The initial phase involved extensive literature review and authoring several papers. The team then collaborated with the design department to create an interactive product, making the findings accessible and usable for scholars.
Objectives
Develop innovative visual representations for complex research data sets, making them usable and accessible.
Plan and test ideas to determine the best fit for end users, including faculty, graduate students, and researchers in the arts and humanities.
Tailor the platform to meet the specific needs of scholars in the arts and humanities.
Conduct usability testing and iterate on design improvements based on user feedback.
Promote interdisciplinary collaboration with tools that facilitate knowledge sharing and networking among diverse scholars.
Problem?
Through this project, our group worked to better understand and define the steps of ordering an insulin pump for a diabetic patient and identify what actions are required from each ‘key player’ to complete the device ordering process. Multiple different parties are involved including the insurance company, a diabetes technology company, third party distributor, provider, pharmacy, and patient. The miscommunication can lead to patients not getting their supplies in a timely manner which corresponds to health issues and complications.
One of the explored users flows
Research and Design Process
The black text highlights my involvement and contribution in the project.
Part of the explorations and ideation at the very beginning of the project.
Result
As my time with this project came to an end, I handed it over to another graduate student at OSU. While I'm still involved, I'm available to address any questions and assist with research and design implementation. Currently, the team is applying for a grant within the university with the goal of launching the final platform by the beginning of 2025.
