Bierschwale, D., Gottschewski-Meyer, P. O., Steuck, P.-F., & Knackstedt, R. (2025). Towards Tool Support for Design Science Research Understanding of Novice Researchers. International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Abstract. Novice researchers in Design Science Research (DSR) face challenges due to the complexity of the methodology and the extensive range of available methods. To address the gap in tool support for understanding the DSR process, this study investigates the design of a Generative AI-based conversational agent (CA) as a DSR support tool to enhance understanding among novice researchers. Using the DSR methodology, we derive design principles (DPs) from existing literature to guide the development of such tools. A prototype CA was developed and evaluated through a mixed-method approach, including think-aloud sessions and semi-structured interviews with seven novice researchers. The evaluation followed the fidelity of real-world phenomena criteria to assess the prototype’s effectiveness. The study contributes to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Design Science (DS) theory by providing descriptive knowledge from the evalu ation and prescriptive knowledge through actionable DPs and their instantiation, offering guidance for designing effective CAs to support the DSR process. 

Keywords: Design Science Research, DSR Support Tool, Design Principles.

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Steuck, P.-F., Di Maria, M., Bierschwale, D., Gottschewski-Meyer, P. O., & Knackstedt, R. (2025). Designing anthropomorphic conversational agents to enhance laypeople’s acceptance of generative AI. International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Abstract. Generative AI (genAI) is increasingly integrated across various sec tors, yet laypeople often hesitate to adopt it due to factors such as unfamiliarity, uncertainty, or lack of skills. To address this, we apply a Design Science Research approach, reflecting on four past design projects in which we developed anthro pomorphic conversational agents (CAs) tailored to laypeople. By incorporating human-like demographics, verbal behaviours, and non-verbal cues (e.g., emoti cons, temporal delays), we aimed to enhance social presence, likeability, and per ceived usefulness. Through evaluations using think-aloud studies and semi-struc tured interviews, we find that these anthropomorphic design elements facilitate acceptance but also reveal a dynamic evolution in user interaction – from initial hesitation to increased competence over time. This shifting engagement presents new challenges for interaction design and adaptivity related to genAI-based CAs. We derive five design principles that support the creation and management of adaptive experiences capable of responding to users’ evolving expertise levels. Our work advances HCI research by refining anthropomorphic design for lay people, an underexplored aspect so far, and by illuminating the evolving com plexity of human–AI engagement. Practically, our work help designing genAI based CAs to lower adoption barriers, bridge the digital divide, and enable more inclusive, user-centred genAI-powered CAs that adapt over time, fostering long term usability and broader accessibility in everyday contexts.

Keywords: Anthropomorphism, Generative AI, Design Science Research, Laypeople, Conversational Agents.

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Gottschewski-Meyer, P. O., Lang, F., Fröhlich, N. A., Auf der Landwehr, M., & von Viebahn, C. (2025). Examining the impact of digital nudges and price discounts on e-grocery delivery slot selection. International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Abstract. The rise of e-grocery in Europe has led to an increased demand for the transportation of goods from e-grocers to customers, resulting in higher fuel use and elevated CO₂ emissions. The digital nature of grocery ordering from web stores provides designers of digital choice environments with the opportunity to implement specific design elements, known as digital nudges, which have the potential to influence behavior towards more sustainable delivery slot choices. This study aims to identify the most effective intervention from eight digital nudging concepts and one economic intervention, namely price discounts, using logistic regression and post-hoc tests. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of sustainable choices in digital choice environments and provide a fresh impetus for research and practice.

Keywords: E-grocery, Delivery Slot Choices, Digital Nudges.