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Comparing entropy measures of idea links in design protocols: Linkography entropy measurement and analysis of differently conditioned design sessions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2007

Jeff W.T. Kan ,
Zafer Bilda  and
John S. Gero
Jeff W.T. Kan
Affiliation:
Key Centre of Design Computing and Cognition, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Zafer Bilda
Affiliation:
Creativity and Cognition Studios, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
John S. Gero
Affiliation:
Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study and Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
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Abstract

This paper explores using Shannon's entropy of information to measure linkographs of 12 design sessions that involved six architects in two different experimental conditions. The aim is to find a quantitative tool to interpret the linkographs. This study examines if the differences in the design processes and the design outcomes can be reflected in the entropic interpretations. The results show that the overall entropy of one design condition is slightly higher than the other. Further, there are indications that the change of entropy might reflect design outcomes.

Keywords

Design MeasurementDesign ProtocolsDesign OutcomesEntropy
Type
Research Article
Information
AI EDAM , Volume 21 , Issue 4 , November 2007 , pp. 367 - 377
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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