Comparing Novice and Expert User Inputs in Early Stage Product Design

This research examines similarities and differences between expert and novice user inputs during early stage concept design and ideation. Using a mixed-methods approach, we obtained and analyzed user inputs from 18 nurses (9 novices and 9 experts) for the design of an intramuscular drug delivery system. Users completed semi-structured interviews and two questionnaires to document design inputs through written and oral descriptions, and to rank their top five design requirements. We coded design inputs per the categories of nurse safety, patient safety, usability, and functionality, and used Pearson's Chi-squared analysis to test for independence between the novice and expert groups. The data illustrate a significant difference in the frequency of usability and functionality requirements between the two user groups. Novice users cited requirements associated with product usability over two times as often as did expert users (39.4% vs. 17.1%); and experts cited requirements associated with product functionality over two times as often as did novices (35.4% vs. 16.7%). For the design of complex systems, this research captures the unique contributions that novice and expert users make to the design process, and highlights the importance of considering potential user input biases during early stage design.