MProvE - Validation of Methods in Product Development through Experiments – Development of a Procedural Model

在产品开发方法研究中，如何证明所开发方法的有效性是一个挑战。然而，特别是在方法的有用性、适用性和可接受性的成功标准方面，为了成功地制定方法，证据至关重要。为了能够提供这一证据，方法研究人员目前缺乏一般和抽象的研究方法之间的科学中间结构，如设计研究方法（DRM）和方法验证步骤的具体援助，如通过问卷调查获取数据。本研究项目的目的是开发一个过程模型，用于产品开发方法的客观和可重复性验证。过程模型应能够说明上述方法的成功标准。在此过程模型的开发中，方法进行了实验验证，并将所获得的结果用于测试和优化过程模型。在产品开发中，可以对专注于个人工作的方法（如分析方法）和专注于团队合作的方法（如头脑风暴）进行一般区分。为了用过程模型涵盖这一系列方法，需要这些领域的专门知识。这种专业知识是基于IPEK的C&C²方法（专注于个人工作）和PKT的综合PKT方法（专注于团队合作）的经验。在他们的调查中，椅子的各种数据采集方法的现有经验也用于实验研究。在PKT，研究观察员和焦点小组访谈的经验被用来调查方法，重点是团队合作。在IPEK，眼动追踪和有声思维被用来研究个人工作的方法。所研究的过程模型的创新之处在于，通过支持方法的实验研究，对所描述的方法成功标准的可再现和客观的陈述成为可能。将方法划分为单个方法步骤支持实验研究的性能。因此，验证结果可积极用于方法研究，由于大多数下游和不太客观的验证活动，迄今为止还不可能。在此基础上建立的过程模型，进行了三阶段的实验研究（初步研究、主要研究、试验研究），分析、优化和评价其方法验证的适用性，使建立合适的研究成为可能，从而能够对方法的有效性、适用性和可接受性的成功标准做出陈述。通过这种方式，方法研究人员将在未来验证其开发的方法时得到支持。

In method research of product development it is a challenge to prove the validity of developed methods. However, particularly with regard to the success criteria usefulness, applicability and acceptance of methods, proof is crucial in order to successfully develop methods. In order to be able to provide this proof, method researchers currentlylack the scientific midstructure between general and abstract research methodology such as Design Research Methodology (DRM) and concrete aids to steps of method validation such as data acquisition through questionnaires. The aim of this research project is to develop a process model for the objective and reproducible validation ofmethods for product development. The process model should enable statements to be made on the success criteria of methods mentioned above. In the development of this process model, methods are validated experimentally and the obtained results are used to test and optimise the process model. In product development, a general distinction can be made between methods focusing on individual work, such as analysis methods, and methods focusing on teamwork, such as brainstorming. In order to cover this spectrum of methods with the process model, expertise in these areas is required. This expertise is based on the experience of the IPEK with the C&C² -Approach (focus on individual work) and the PKT with the integrated PKT approach (focus on teamwork). In their investigation, the existing experiences of the chairs with various data acquisition methods are also used for the experimental studies. At PKT, experiences withstudy observers and focus group interviews are used to investigate methods with a focus on teamwork. At the IPEK, eye-tracking and think-aloud are used to investigate methods for individual work. What is innovative about the process model to be researched is that by supporting the experimental investigation of methods, reproducible and objective statements on the described success criteria of methods become possible. A division of the methods into individual method steps supports the performance of experimentalinvestigations. Thus, the results of the validation can be actively used in method research, which has not been possible so far due to the mostly downstream and less objective validation activities. With the process model developed on this basis, a three-stage experimental study (preliminary study, main study, test study) is carried out in orderto analyse, optimise and evaluate its suitability for method validation.The developed process model makes it possible to build up suitable studies in order to be able to make statements about the success criteria usefulness, applicability and acceptance of methods. In this way, method researchers will be supported in the validation of their developed methods in the future.