Course content

How to read and write scientific papers in HCI; Research ethics in HCI; How to plan and execute an experiment in HCI; Developing research questions in HCI; Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data in HCI; Validity; Theoretical frameworks for user experience; How to measure user experience; Important theoretical frameworks in HCI: Cognitive Psychology, Ecological Psychology (Gibson), Phenomenology, Interaction aesthetics; The theoretical and historical basis for critical design.

Learning outcome

The course provides theoretical and practical knowledge on research in HCI. The learning outcomes on completion of the course are summarized below.

Knowledge:

1. The student can explain the main theoretical foundations for HCI.
2. The student can explain the main topics related to research ethics in HCI.
3. The student can explain the main topics related to research validity in HCI.

Skills:

1. The student is able to plan and execute HCI research in the areas of (a) lab studies, (b) user studies of user experience, and (c) critical design.
2. The student is able to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyzes of the results from HCI research activities.
3. The student is able to document HCI research in a scientific format.

Competence: Through the group activities in the course, the student has gained experience and competence in how HCI research can be carried out in an appropriate and reflective manner.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and group assignments.

Further on evaluation

Each group has to submit project deliverables during the semester and a final report. The final report is a collection of these submissions and is the basis for the grade in the course.

In the event of voluntary repetition, fail (F) or valid absence, all course-activities must be retaken in a semester with teaching. Evaluations are only held in semesters with teaching.

Recommended previous knowledge

IT3402 Design of graphical user interfaces

IT3010 Empirical research methodologies in IT and digitalization

The course builds on these two courses and assumes basic knowledge and competence in HCI (TDT4180).

Required previous knowledge

TDT4180 Human Computer Interaction

Course materials

Scientific papers (an overview will be provided at the beginning of the semester)