UX methods in the data lab: arguing for validity

Abstract

Based on a case study at a national science lab, this paper outlines strategies for demonstrating the value of technical communication research when working with subject matter experts in both data and domain sciences. This paper argues that technical communicators can find common goals with experts in highly technical fields using UX methods as the medium of identification, particularly in the realm of scientific computing. This paper outlines a qualitative usability method created for data scientists at the lab to validate highly specialized scientific visualization applications.