Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction

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.

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.

Lectures and group assignments.