Designing for Persuasion - A study of persuasive design methods through information architecture

Rabjerg, Maja Færge ; Hovedskou, Ea Kirstine Bork

4. Term

Information Architecture, Master

2018

2018-05-30

80 pages

This thesis was written during our master study in Information Architecture 2018. In this thesis, we investigated the methods that are used within the field of persuasion and the potential for creating a new method based on the theory of persuasion and information architecture. The research was guided by the following research questions: How can a method for design and evaluation of persuasive technologies accommodate the issues identified when applying the PSD model? • What characterizes the methods used within the field of persuasive design? • In which ways may information architecture contribute to a persuasive technology method? We chose to base the thesis on an extensive literature review, in which all the proceedings published in relation to the Persuasive Technology Conference from 2006-2017 were included. Based on a total of 340 papers, 16 methods were identified. These were synthesized into Sanders Research Design Landscape, in order to show the characteristics of the methods within the field. Based on nine guideline, created based on the theory of persuasion and information architecture, the methods were analyzed and became the base of a new method called the DEDE method. With its four phases and two built-in stop blocks, the main difference with this method, compared to those identified in the field, was that not every technology would be considered persuasive, even if it changed attitude or behavior. The main academic contribution of the thesis was this method, in which persuasion and information architecture were combined. Our secondary academic contribution was the overview of the characteristics of methods within the field of persuasion.

persuasion ; information architecture ; persuasive technologies ; captology ; design methods

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