1b. Proposed scheme of research
To begin, we think it is important to consider that "user-centred" approaches to information systems need to be "user-in-context" approaches. That is, we must take into account variations in use and interaction patterns that depend upon specific scenarios, tasks, roles, subject domains and socio-cultural frames. To cite Andrew Dillon, "it makes no sense to describe a tool or technology as usable or unusable in itself. Any tool is made for use by certain users, performing particular tasks in specific environments. Its usability can only be meaningfully evaluated in relation to such contextual variables" (Dillon, p. 17). Examples of this approach to system design are contextual design and cognitive work analysis; but the approach itself has also become a focus of research, as evidenced by the recent Information Seeking in Context and Information Interaction in Context conferences (Ingwersen & Jarvelin, 2005).
In this light, we think that one of the goals of our investigation should be to identify and test the impact of contextual variables of interaction with electronic texts. This would include conducting task analyses and developing taxonomies of interaction types, use scenarios and user roles. The starting point for this can be the two scenarios (comprehension and engagement) and the two user groups (scholars and readers), but we can likely develop a more robust model that is relevant to the e-book. The development of these taxonomies would provide a framework for an ongoing discussion of how "use" and "interaction" can be interpreted with respect to the e-book.
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