Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

1. To give students the opportunity to apply knowledge, research methods and design skills from their taught
courses to the development, execution and dissemination of a Human-Computer Interaction research project.

2. To give students practical experience of HCI design and evaluation in-the-wild.

3. To give students the experience of collaborating with academics and external organisations in the development
and execution of Human-Computer Interaction research.

4. To provide students with an understanding and experience of reporting Human-Computer Interaction research.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module is comprised of two components. Part 1 is a taught component that pulls together key elements from pre-requisite courses, and introduces students to theories of research in the sciences, humanities and design. This will include considering the structure and content of good research proposals in Human-Computer Interaction and the skills and knowledge required to develop a high-quality research proposal and ethics submission; and peer-learning workshops, feedback sessions, and one-on-one support as they develop a research proposal.

1. What is research? How does this differ in design, science, social science and the arts and humanities?
2. What is design-led research and how can it be deployed in Human-Computer Interaction?
3. What are the essential components of a research proposal and what is their purpose? (e.g. aims & objectives, the contribution to knowledge, methodology and case studies, findings and analysis, implications and conclusions)
4. Finding a problem area and working with peers, external partners and supervisors
5. Defining and refining a research approach
6. Writing your proposal and ethics submission

Part 2 involves the execution and dissemination of a design-led research project in Human-Computer Interaction. The project topic and plan must be approved by the module coordinator. Students will be required to provide an interim report (documenting their progress) and make a final presentation as well as produce a substantial written report.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. To be able to demonstrate understanding of theories of research and the ability to critically position a range of different disciplinary approaches to research in the context of Human-Computer Interaction.
2. To have real-world experience of design-led participatory research methods in Human-Computer Interaction.
3. To be able to demonstrate understanding of reporting and disseminating high quality research in Human-Computer Interaction.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. To be able to demonstrate the application of appropriate research methods to the research project.
2. To be able to maintain research records and record project progress.
3. To be able to demonstrate time management.
4. To be able to apply personal skills to working in a research environment.
5. To be able to use data management practices specific to the research project.
6. To be able to conduct ethical user-centred research
7. To be able to communicate research ideas effectively with a range of stakeholders.
8. To be able to produce a research proposal, report and presentation to a range of stakeholders.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Because of the diverse disciplinary perspective in HCI the module begins with short introductions and guided learning on the subject of what research is, in order for students to develop a critical understanding of different approaches to research and to understand what concepts like contribution to knowledge, and design-led enquiry mean. The style of this module is problem-driven (writing a research proposal/ethical submission and executing & reporting on a research project) and learning-by-doing. There are also strong elements of peer-review and group learning as this is consistent with the course teaching and learning philosophy of collaborative and cross-disciplinary learning. Since the HCI students come to the module with different skills and interests, there are significant opportunities for one-to-one and peer-based learning, as well as interaction with current PhDs and postdoctoral researchers.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will develop an outline proposal and give an initial presentation that will be assessed and critiqued by a panel of HCI researchers. The feedback students receive will then be used in the development a full research proposal that will be assessed by the module coordinator. In practice research outcomes are appropriately expressed in peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international meetings. The assessment of this module reflects the realities of HCI research and trains the students in the necessary skills required to write an academic paper (describing the conduct and results of their research project) and present research at meetings of the academic community. The short thesis (in the form of a research paper) tests the student’s ability to: critically evaluate their own data and the published literature, to present and analyse data; and discuss their own work in a written format. The presentation of the research project (assessed by a panel of HCI researchers as part of a module “mini-conference”) tests the student’s ability to prepare and deliver short summaries of their project in clear and concise formats to an audience of peers in a time-constrained and word-limited fashion.

General Notes

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