52683 User Experience Research
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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 8 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10050 Digital and Social Media Major OR 12 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09479 48cp Digital and Social Media Major OR 12 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09487 48cp Digital and Social Media Major
Anti-requisite(s): 54062 Digital Experience Design AND 58125 User Experience Design
Description
This subject introduces students to user experience research and UX design across online and mobile environments. Students explore a range of contemporary approaches to user research methods and methodologies, and strategies for designing experiences and interventions within an increasingly complex media landscape. Students examine the ways in which software, device and platform affordances can intersect to effectively facilitate and structure experiences and interactions within these environments. Through case study analysis, user research activities, strategic development and project-based learning, students apply their knowledge and skills to design and develop a detailed user experience research plan for an existing project, event or environment. Students critically reflect on and respond to core design thinking, UX and collaborative teamwork principles including intercultural communication. They learn ethics and protocols of researching with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Apply fundamental theories and practices of user experience research and design |
|---|---|
| b. | Communicate ideas within a professional and academic context |
| c. | Communicate understanding of ethics and protocols of researching with Indigenous Australians |
| d. | Synthesise knowledge through the development of user experience research plans and activities |
| e. | Collaborate effectively with peers |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
- Act in a professional manner appropriate to communication industries (1.1)
- Apply theoretically informed understandings of communication industries to independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
- Employ appropriate research and inquiry skills to independently gather, organise and analyse information across diverse platforms (2.1)
- Apply knowledge of Indigenous issues in professional practices and engage responsibly in communicating with and about Indigenous people and communities (4.1)
- Analyse and act ethically in the personal, political and professional contexts of civil society (5.1)
- Exemplify effective and appropriate communication in different communication industry contexts (6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Initial face-to-face classes focus on user experience design concepts and principles across diverse digital and real-world environments. Students complete case studies on the online UTS site and complete activities and non-assessed quizzes to test their understanding of these concepts. Case studies are used to illustrate these concepts in practice. Later, the emphasis shifts to active, collaborative learning where students workshop user research methods and activities with their peers to test and refine their work.
Students receive both formative and summative feedback. They gain formative feedback, normally verbal, at several points in the session, firstly in response to structured in-class activities and later in class during the development phase of their user research activities. They receive summative feedback in response to their submitted assessment items that is focussed on assessment outcomes. Summative feedback provides further information on the grade issued, reflecting on the quality of the work submitted and the student’s performance leading up to submission. Summative feedback may also provide information on specific aspects of their submitted assessments, such as strategies for improvement, advancement of strengths, or comments on notable aspects of the submitted work. It is provided in written form for all assessed work and will be published along with grades.
Content (topics)
Students are introduced to a range of theoretical approaches and practical applications of digital user experience design such as user-centred design, user needs analysis, visualisation tools such as personas and user journeys, competitor analysis and value propositions, and the Internet of Things. They explore challenges of digital experience design across multiplatform and transmedia projects, pervasive design, and experience design for mixed environments including data driven and algorithmic approaches. Students learn research methods including surveys, interviews and contextual enquiries. They learn how to plan user experience research within an ethical framework and how to research with and for diverse and vulnerable user groups including Indigenous Australians.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: User Experience Analysis
| Objective(s): | a and b | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1200 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: User Experience Research Project
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d and e | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Part A: UX Research Presentation – Group – 5-6 minute in-class presentation (+ slides + compiled data/report submitted as a PDF to Canvas) Part B: Ethical Research Statement – Individual – 750 words | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Attendance at classes is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor to build capacities towards meeting the subject learning objectives. A roll will be taken at each class (whether on campus or online). Students who have more than two absences from class will be refused marking of their final assessment (see Rule 3.8).
Required texts
There are no required texts for this subject. Required readings will be available via UTS Library and the online UTS site.
References
AIATSIS. (2020). AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research. https://aiatsis.gov.au/research/ethical-research
AIATSIS. (2020). Guide to Applying the AIATSIS Code of Ethics. https://aiatsis.gov.au/research/ethical-research
Garrett, J. (2011). The Elements of User Experience: User-Centred Design for the Web (2nd ed.). New Riders.
Goodman, E., Kuniavsky, M. and Moed, A. (2012). Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner’s Guide to User Research (2nd ed.). Morgan Kaufmann.
Henderson, M., Johnson, N.F., & Auld, G. (2013). Silences of Ethical Practice: Dilemmas for Researching Using Social Media. Educational Research and Evaluation 19(6), 546-560. 10.1080/13803611.2013.805656
Kuniavsky, M. (2010). Smart Things: Ubiquitous Computing User Experience Design (1st ed.) Morgan Kaufmann.
Levin, M. (2014). Designing Multi-Device Experiences: An Ecosystem Approach to Creating User Experiences Across Devices. O’Reilly.
Levy, J. (2015). UX Strategy: How to Devise Innovative Digital Products That People Want. O’Reilly.
Norman, D. (2013). The Design of Everyday Things (Revised and Expanded ed.). Basic Books.
Rowland, C., Goodman, E., Charlier, M., Light, A. & Lui, A. (2015). Designing Connected Products: UX for the Consumer Internet of Things (1st ed.). O’Reilly.