Article:

The doctoral research currently in progress focuses on the allocation of time to household chores and interactions with equipment designed for tasks such as laundry, food preparation, and surface cleaning, as well as the interconnections among these activities. This study employs a qualitative approach in a descriptive-observational mode and is structured into two distinct phases of data collection. The first phase, already completed, utilized semi-structured interview techniques, questionnaires, and probes through a remote tool via a messaging application. The ongoing second phase uses data collection techniques, including observation, in-depth semi-structured interviews, and item inventory assessments. The tools for data collection and the categories for analysis were determined through an extensive review of the literature, encompassing not only the field of "time use studies" but also the history of publications, conduct manuals, courses, and guidelines for projects related to domestic work and its temporal aspects. This content sheds light on the influences that daily practices within residential environments have exerted on social groups, as well as the ways in which technical and cultural innovations have manifested in household actions. Notable examples of these materials include Catherine Beecher's 1841 publication in the USA, "Treatise on Domestic Economy" which took a stance on the contemporary conflicts of the period, advocating for the abolition of slave and servile labor amidst the American Civil War. Additionally, Christine Frederick's 1914 book, "Household Engineering, Scientific Management in the Home," published in Chicago, democratized the explanation of concepts prevalent in industries of the time, marked by Scientific Management as developed by Taylor in 1911, particularly for middle-class women. The study also explores movements in Domestic Sciences in France during the interwar period, alongside organizations such as the League for Household Efficiency and the Association for Household Electric Appliances and Mon Chez Moi. Moreover, the research examines the impact of modern architectural concepts on kitchens, primarily in Germany in the 1920s and in the USA in the 1930s. It also delves into the initiation of Home Economics courses in American schools and their implementation through agreements in several countries, including Brazil, during the 1950s, among other relevant historical events. The analysis of these historical events serves to enhance our understanding of the developmental trajectory of the research theme. By considering the unique characteristics of the present moment, the study aims to identify temporal relationships within various categories, such as the implicit objectives and values associated with the tasks performed, the mental models guiding task execution, the work guidelines governing them, and the available technological resources. The anticipated outcomes of this research are expected to contribute to the formulation of guidelines for future product projects related to domestic activities and to provide a deeper insight into the variable "time" as a crucial element in the context of user interaction with domestic product interfaces.