As I look back on the final week of my studies at the FH, I had the chance to engage in several feedback sessions that have proven to be incredibly insightful in shaping the direction of my Master Thesis. These discussions have given me a clearer understanding of how to proceed with my research. While the feedback varied, it has helped me refine my focus and define the next steps for my thesis, allowing me to consider several potential directions.
Narrowing the Focus
The first round of feedback centered on my Exposé, and the main takeaway was that my topic needed further narrowing. Although I had already considered focusing the topic, hearing this point helped me realize the importance of it again. My research idea is initially quite broad, and the feedback highlighted that by refining my focus, I could dive deeper into the subject matter and avoid becoming overwhelmed by its scope. This feedback has been essential in helping me move from a general concept to something more precise, but I know there is still work to be done to define it even further.
Exploring Awareness Control
On Thursday, I had a discussion with an external expert who helped me gain a better understanding of the significance of my thesis in the broader design field. The expert highlighted that the topic is intriguing and important, especially in the context of adaptive interfaces and awareness control – and that there is still much to explore, particularly in the design domain. The expert also suggested focusing on a single system where adaptive changes would be valuable, rather than trying to address multiple systems with uncertain demand. One of the most helpful insights was the emphasis on perception psychology and the way external factors, such as lighting and user attention, influence how an environment is perceived. These insights reinforced the idea that I should aim to create adaptive interfaces that respond to specific contextual factors, such as lighting conditions or the user’s level of awareness. By narrowing the focus to one such system, I would be able to provide more meaningful insights. It became clear that the next step should be to dive into awareness control studies and related research, to better understand how one adaptive interface could be implemented in various contexts.
A Broad Start
In my meeting with my thesis supervisor, the advice was to start with a broader focus and then refine it as I gathered more data. This approach seemed very practical, as it allowed me to work in a more flexible way, without feeling pressured to make a final decision right away. Instead of committing to a single example immediately, I was encouraged to start working in the area and refine my focus as I moved forward. This felt liberating, as it gives me the opportunity to explore the general topic before narrowing it down based on my findings. My supervisor also suggested focusing on one practical use case later one, such as maps or mobility systems for example – an area I had already considered but hadn’t fully committed to yet. Given that adaptive design could add significant value in these systems, I began to realize that this could be a potential direction to explore. However, I also decided that this focus is not yet fixed, and I have the flexibility to decide later on whether I want to pursue mobility systems or something else entirely.
Practical Applications and Testing
As I continued to reflect on the feedback, another external expert reminded me of the importance of context when designing adaptive interfaces. This expert emphasized that different contexts – such as different environments or use cases – have a huge impact on how interfaces should adapt. For instance, navigation systems for bicycles need to account for lighting conditions and external factors like weather or speed, which wouldn’t be as critical in other contexts, such as car navigation systems. This feedback underscored the importance of considering real-world scenarios and environmental factors when developing adaptive prototypes. By simulating these conditions, I could better understand how adaptive interfaces perform and how users interact with them
Deepening Research and Exploring Directions
Given all the feedback I’ve received, I have decided that the next step is to begin with deeper research into adaptive interfaces and awareness control. I will start by exploring existing research and looking into studies across various fields, including design, technology, psychology, and sociology. This will provide me with a better understanding of where the gaps in research lie and help me refine my focus. While I have already gathered substantial feedback about the potential of mobility systems and maps as an application for my thesis, I’m still undecided on whether this is the direction I want to take. The feedback has given me many solid entry points into this area, but I need to carefully consider whether this focus aligns with my interests and the goals of my thesis. There’s still the possibility that I might decide to explore another area entirely. If I choose to go in a different direction, I can still apply the same feedback to other systems and contexts. The decision will be made once I continue my research and start exploring practical examples and case studies. By reviewing papers and understanding the different challenges in the design of adaptive interfaces, I will be able to determine if mobility systems and maps are indeed the right focus, or if another domain would offer more opportunities for meaningful exploration.
Moving Forward with Flexibility
In conclusion, this final week of feedback sessions has been crucial in helping me define the next steps for my Master Thesis. While mobility systems and maps are strong potential directions, I’m still open to exploring other areas. My immediate next step is to begin deepening my research into adaptive interfaces and awareness control, and based on this research, I will make an informed decision on whether to pursue mobility systems or another area. With a clear plan for starting my research and refining my focus as I go, I am excited to move forward and see where my thesis journey leads.
