Research project
Title: Wayfinding Project: An information/navigation aid for complex indoor spaces - feasibility study to establish older people's needs
Project timescale: From 01 October, 1998 to 01 September, 1999
(Added to website on: 17 June, 2002 - Date last updated: 11 February, 2013)
Source of funding:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Aims: To investigate with older people the feasibility of developing a personalised technical device to enable people to find their way inside large buildings, notably hospitals.
Research designs used:
Study of views/experiences
Systematic review
Other:
Methods used to collect data:
Focus groups
Questionnaire survey
Other (please specify):
Research project description: 5 Focus Group discussions were held involving 60 participants to find out about wayfinding experiences and ideas/views about the device and how it should be developed. One group were severely (mostly prelingually) deaf. Eleven volunteers from the groups trialled a simulated version of the device in July 1999 at the Mile End Hospital E.1.
Stages at which the public were involved:
Other: Partners in innovatory engineering research
Description of public involvement in research stages: Stage 1. Explaining experiences of wayfinding in large buildings, notably hospitals; having ideas for a technical device and views about design which directly made input to engineering. Stage 2. Trialling device.
Training and support provided for either members of the public or researchers involved in the project:
Examples of ways the public have made a difference to the research project: Participants emphasised in particular the need for simplicity in any device; engineers would have created more complex device. Simplicity of device then much appreciated in trials.
Evaluating the impact of public involvement in the research:
Details of publications or reports resulting from the research: Report to Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Links to Reports:
Was/is your project user controlled: Not Known
For further information on the project, please contact:
Claudine McCreadie
Research Fellow
Age Concern Institute of Gerontology
King's College London
Waterloo Bridge Wing
Franklin Wilkins Building
London
SE1 9NN
claudine.mccreadie@kcl.ac.uk
020 7872 3035
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