Location
Kumasi, Ghana & Virtual
Start Date
6-8-2026 5:00 PM
End Date
6-8-2026 5:30 PM
Description
The widespread use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) worldwide has underscored the importance of research initiatives in Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D). It has become crucial to understand the extent to which ICTs contribute to development, particularly for relatively disadvantaged members of society, given the persistent inequality despite technological advancements. However, many ICT4D projects launched to address challenges in multidisciplinary contexts suffer chronic failure rates, often linked to researchers' limited understanding of and consideration for local conditions and the contexts in which the projects are intended. This study proposes design and evaluation criteria that embed ICT4D guidelines within design science principles for developing ICT artefacts for use in community contexts. The study achieves this by recommending criteria for designing and evaluating design science projects that make use of ICTs to address community-based problems. The proposed criteria are conceptual and propose a framework that can be used in aiding the design and evaluation of community-based ICT artefacts. Additionally, the framework may be applied in evaluating ICT artefacts in similar communities.
Included in
Development Studies Commons, Digital Humanities Commons, Management Information Systems Commons
Design and Evaluation Criteria for Community-based ICT4D Artefacts
Kumasi, Ghana & Virtual
The widespread use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) worldwide has underscored the importance of research initiatives in Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D). It has become crucial to understand the extent to which ICTs contribute to development, particularly for relatively disadvantaged members of society, given the persistent inequality despite technological advancements. However, many ICT4D projects launched to address challenges in multidisciplinary contexts suffer chronic failure rates, often linked to researchers' limited understanding of and consideration for local conditions and the contexts in which the projects are intended. This study proposes design and evaluation criteria that embed ICT4D guidelines within design science principles for developing ICT artefacts for use in community contexts. The study achieves this by recommending criteria for designing and evaluating design science projects that make use of ICTs to address community-based problems. The proposed criteria are conceptual and propose a framework that can be used in aiding the design and evaluation of community-based ICT artefacts. Additionally, the framework may be applied in evaluating ICT artefacts in similar communities.
