Prototyping and Prototype use in Participatory Design with older adults: A systematic literature review.

This systematic literature review examines the role of prototyping and prototype use in Participatory Design (PD) with older adults. Through text analysis of 68 studies, ten descriptive categories of forms of prototyping and prototype use were constructed to characterize the application in PD with older adults: Refine, Evaluate, Motivate, Generate, Explore, Teach, Decide, Communicate, Understand, and Contribute. Further analysis examines the prevalence of each category, as well as who participates in these activities. With principal component analysis, we further examine the interrelationships of these forms of prototyping and prototype use to explore traditions within PD studies with older adults. We conclude by urging PD practitioners to explicitly describe who they include in prototyping and prototype activities, how they are involved, and why. Finally, we invite further discourse on the role of the use of prototypes and prototyping in PD, particularly in PD with older adults, as well as further examination of the concrete context of involvement.