James Soutter

'Repairing' the machine: a case study of the evaluation of computer-aided detection tools in breast screening

In this paper, we consider the problems of introducing computer-based tools into collaborative processes, arguing that such an introduction must attend to the sociality of work if it is not to impact negatively upon the work that they are intended to support. To ground our arguments, we present findings from an ethnomethologically-informed ethnographic study carried out in the context of the clinical trial of a computer-based aid in medical work. Our findings highlight the problematic nature of traditional clinical trials for evaluating healthcare technologies, precisely because such trials fail to grasp the situated, social and collaborative dimensions of medical work.

Making autonomic computing systems accountable: the problem of human computer interaction

The vision of autonomic computing raises fundamental questions about how we interact with computer systems. In this paper, we outline these questions and propose some strategies for addressing them. In particular, we examine the problem of how we may make autonomic computing systems accountable in interaction for their behaviour. We conclude that there is no technological solution to this problem. Rather, it calls for designers of autonomic computing systems to engage with users so as to understand at first hand the challenges of being a user.

Operating procedure synthesis: science or art?

In this paper, we provide a review of concepts and developments in operating procedure synthesis (OPS), starting from its early development through to its current state. Operating procedure synthesis is a problem in which a set of equipment manipulations and their orderings must be generated to take the process from an initial state to a goal state. While there has been ongoing research for about 30 years in this area, only a few systems have been reported to be industrially deployed. The approach taken in this paper is, first, to describe the problem in general terms; second, to discuss previous work in this area; and, finally, to present ideas and directions for future work.

Planning and Chemical Plant Operating Procedure Synthesis: A Case Study

Operating Procedure Synthesis (OPS) has been used to produce operating procedures for chemical plants. However, the application of AI planning to this domain has rarely been considered, and when it has the scope of the system used has limited it to solving ‘toy’ problems.

The benefits of a long engagement: from contextual design to the co-realisation of work affording artefacts

This paper critically examines Beyer and Holtzblatts contextual design methodology. As a way of addressing what we argue are contextual designs limitations, we propose co-realisation, a methodology that calls for a long engagement: i.e., a longitudinal commitment from designers to building a shared practice with users. We illustrate what doing co-realisation means as practice with extracts taken from case studies of two projects.

Generating Operating Procedures for Chemical Process Plants

Operating procedure synthesis (OPS) has been used to generate plant operating procedures for chemical plants. However, the application of AI planning to this domain has been rarely considered, and when it has the scope of the system used has limited it to solving “toy” problems. This paper describes the application of state‐of‐the‐art AI planning techniques to the generation of operating procedures for chemical plant as part of the INT‐OP project at the Universities of Salford and Loughborough. The CEP planner is outlined and its application to a double effect evaporator test rig is discussed in detail. Particular attention is paid to the issues involved in domain modelling, requiring the description of the domain, development of AI planning operators, the definition of safety restrictions, and the definition of the problem. There is then a presentation of the results, lessons learned and problems still remaining.

Intelligent Learning Environment for Film Reading in Screening Mammography

We are developing a computer based training system to support breast cancer screening, designed for use in training new staff and also to help experienced readers enhance their skills. We discuss the design architectures used by computer based training systems, intelligent tutoring systems and intelligent learning environments. The basic skills involved in mammogram reading are investigated. Particular attention is given to the understanding of mammogram reading practices and the diversity of ways in which readers acquire their practical reading skills.