Rigour versus timeliness in design studies

The tussle between rigour and timeliness is central to the translation of anthropological and sociological insights into design. Classic anthropological and sociological studies emphasise lengthy immersion in the field and saturation of data as essential aspects of rigorous study. However, time frames are short within corporate frameworks of design. Despite this, anthropologists and sociologists are increasingly sought by large technology organisations, as the social and cultural context of users is important for the effectiveness of design. This paper draws on the experiences of the user-centred design team in the Smart Internet Cooperative Research Centre (SITCRC) in Australia and suggests ways of achieving timely rigour in design studies.