Time Schedule:
Mark R Zachry
HCDE 417
Seattle Campus
Introduces usability research methods used in the product-development process; contextual inquiry, surveys and interviews, focus groups, user profiling, usability testing, cognitive walkthroughs, heuristics, and others. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.0 in HCDE 313; may not be repeated. Offered: Sp.
Class description
This course is focuses on usability research techniques, particularly usability testing as it fits into an overall user-centered design strategy. The course takes a process approach; you will learn how to define your audiences and issues, create investigative procedures that answer your questions, administer the procedures, analyze the results, and report your findings effectively.
Student learning goals
Understand user requirements studies and usability testing and what they can contribute to a design effort
Design and conduct a user requirements study to inform the design of a subsequent usability test
Design a usability test that addresses relevant design concerns
Administer the test, analyze the results, and report the findings effectively
General method of instruction
presentations and discussions; workshops
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Design and conduct of user studies; preparation of a user study kit; data analysis; reporting; reading
All major assignments are graded on the quality of the work submitted. Some assignment grades are based on the work of the group within which an individual works.
