KV6019 - Experimental Design for Interactive Applications

You will learn through lectures, workshops, and independent study. The lectures will cover theories and concepts that will enable you to tackle a series of guided experimental design and UX activities. Using real-world case studies, you will work on these during workshops and hands-on sessions in Northumbria’s CIS building computer labs, which are fully equipped with the latest industry-standard software – you will also have access to additional IT resources to help with your experimental work.

The module includes a combination of methods to support learning, where typically topics will be introduced in lectures before being explored through theoretical debates, practical exercises focused on skills development, feedback from tutors, and guided learning activities. You will be encouraged to develop independent learning skills to manage experimental design and UX practices. The University’s eLearning Portal offers remote access to all lecture and workshop materials to reinforce your learning. In addition, the university library offers support for all students by providing electronic resources.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1 Develop a critical understanding of user experience and interaction challenges for ubiquitous computing technologies.
MLO2 Develop knowledge and understanding of methods and techniques for the specification of experimental design requirements.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO3 Identify, apply, and reflect on appropriate experimental methods and techniques for investigating user experience and interaction challenges.
MLO4 Critically evaluate experimental methods and techniques used to capture and analyse user experiences in-context.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO5 Develop, analyse and report on research-informed practices used in the design and deployment of user experience and interaction design experiments in-context.

The main element of summative assessment (100%) will be a final report (2000 words in length) and accompanying analysis (based on a sample set of experimental recordings) that brings together the experimental research plans, findings/analysis and evaluations.
This assessment addresses Module Learning Outcomes; MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4 & MLO5.

You will receive both informative and confirmatory feedback on your assessments, which can be used to feed-forward into other modules.

Formative assessment will take place through workshop activities which make use of real-world case studies and experimental design/UX activities which mirror the final assessment requirements, addressing Module Learning Outcomes MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4 & MLO5.

Formative feedback will be given throughout the module on workshop activities you are required to complete.

Level 5 - HCI Module

N/A

This module explores the UX theory, principles, and practice underpinning experimental design and testing aimed at developing a clear understanding of the user and their experience with ubiquitous computing technologies in-context. Indicative topics include: trends in interaction design and ubiquitous technology use; experimental methodologies, techniques and research practices; designing and implementing experimental design research; collation, analysis and presentation of data; and, synthesising data in order to make recommendations for improving the user experience in-context. Theory is followed by practical workshops where you will be introduced to different experimental design methods, tools, and techniques for exploring user behaviour. You will apply the acquired UX theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the planning, designing and execution of experiments assessing interaction behaviours and user experience in-context, thereby ensuring we design technology that meet their needs. The module will help you develop key skills required for future employment as a UX researcher or designer.