Abstract

SAN MARTIN, Julia  and  POIZAT, Germain. The course-of-action research program: historical and conceptual landmarks. Laboreal [online]. 2020, vol.16, n.2, pp.1-35. ISSN 1646-5237.  https://doi.org/10.4000/laboreal.16418.

The “course of action” empirical and technological research program was developed in the field of ergonomics during the 1980s and 1990s. It was then progressively extended to other fields of research and action beyond the boundaries of ergonomics. This contribution proposes an archeology of knowledge with the aim of gaining an understanding not only of the "course of action" research program (and its effectiveness), but also of the procedures/models that it proposes for both work and activity analysis and design. By scanning both the history and the conceptual universe of the “course of action” research program, this article aims (1) to point out the main empirical and technological contributions of this program and the potential it still holds (for work/activity analysis and for design), and (2) to help to make sense of certain concepts and analytical notions by mentioning the context of their emergence and the reasons for certain evolutions.

Keywords : course of action; semiological framework; empirical research program; technological research program; activity analysis.

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