## 4 Research and Workshop Methodology
### Dot Voting Activity  
In the dot voting activity, participants cast their votes by writing the number of the corresponding assistive technology, following the instructions in the reference shown in Figure 6, on a green card to indicate interest or approval, or on a yellow card to indicate disinterest or disapproval. Participants had the option to use multiple green cards for a single item/technology to indicate the strength of their positive impression. To promote candid feedback, participants were instructed not to include any personal identifiers on their voting cards. Once completed, participants sealed their cards in an envelope, ensuring confidentiality. Envelopes were collected and handed over to the facilitator for further qualitative data analysis.  
This voting activity played a crucial role in determining the preferences of people living with frailty (PwF) regarding assistive technologies. By allowing participants to express their positive or negative sentiments towards each item or technology, the researchers aimed to gain insights into the specific preferences and concerns of this vulnerable population. The use of green and red cards provided a simple yet effective method for participants to convey their opinions, while the option to use multiple green cards allowed them to indicate the strength of their positive impressions, offering valuable nuance to the data. Moreover, the confidential nature of the voting process, achieved through the use of sealed envelopes and  
Figure 6: Excerpt from dot voting activity instructions. Full details presented in Appendix B.  
the absence of personal identifiers, encouraged participants to provide honest feedback without fear of judgement or repercussions. This approach was particularly important when working with PwF, as it helped to create a safe and comfortable environment for them to express their genuine thoughts and concerns regarding assistive technologies.  
The research objectives of this activity included understanding user preferences and the strengths of those preferences for each assistive device, identifying any concerns or reservations users may have regarding specific technologies, and conducting a comparative analysis of the popularity and endorsement strength for each assistive device. By analysing the distribution of positive and negative votes, as well as the number of green cards used for each item, researchers could gain valuable insights into the overall acceptance, concerns, and relative popularity of different assistive technologies among PwF. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data from this activity could potentially reveal underlying patterns, motivations, and specific needs of PwF, informing the development and adoption of assistive technologies tailored to their unique requirements.  
This activity informs **R2b** by capturing the preferences and concerns of participants regarding assistive technologies. The voting activity provides insights into what features or aspects of assistive and robotic technologies are most valued by older adults and their caregivers. This feedback can inform the design and implementation of assistive technologies, including educational mechanisms like chatbots, to ensure they align with user preferences and enhance adoption, thereby impacting quality of life improvements.