Investigating the honeypot effect on (semi-)public ambient displays in long-term field studies

• Applicants: Dr. Susanne Draheim; Professor Dr. Michael Koch
• Subject Area: Image and Language Processing, Computer Graphics and Visualisation, Human Computer Interaction, Ubiquitous and Wearable Computing
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 451069094

In research on large, interactive screens, so-called ambient displays, a wide range of findings on various factors of use have already been collected. However, there is still a fundamental need for research into the effects of increasing attention among potential users. In this project, we are looking at the novelty effect and especially the honeypot effect. So far, aspects that trigger the honeypot effect have not been studied extensively. The same applies to the distinction between both the honeypot and the novelty effect. Furthermore, existing investigations of the honeypot effect have considered the effect largely in public spaces and have neglected to expand on the differences between public and semi-public spaces.Following the motivation of practice-oriented research approaches in human-computer interaction research as well as in the field of computer-supported collaborative work, we see the need to holistically elaborate on the honeypot effect in the context of long-term field deployments in public and semi-public spaces.For these reasons, the proposed project aims at analysing the honeypot effect in long-term field studies of ambient displays in public and semi-public spaces. At the same time, we strive towards finding ways as to how the novelty and honeypot effect can be more clearly distinguished in such deployment-based research. We also intend to take a closer look at the differences between public and semi-public spaces.In addition to classical qualitative research methods and the processing of sensor-based data already collected automatically (here touch gestures), we seek to advance on the topic of au-tomatism in data collection and analysis. To this end, a methodological framework is to be developed which allows an automatic and time-independent (i.e. 24/7) evaluation of ambient displays based on sensor data. This framework is also meant to leverage qualitative methods as a feedback instance to incorporate unclear or supplementary facts, if deemed necessary.Important contributions of this project are therefore, besides the actual investigation of the honeypot effect in different contexts, the demonstration of new possibilities for automatic long-term evaluations of ambient displays in semi-public or public spaces. This will enable other scientists to conduct their own original field research on ambient displays using automatic methods. Further contributions of our project result from the development of concrete design rec-ommendations. With the help of these recommendations, for example, user experience designers in the industry but also usability researchers can be enabled to specifically trigger, interpret and analyse the honeypot or novelty effect.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants