PTC 610 RESEARCH METHODS FOR INFORMATION
DESIGN
FALL 2012 SYLLABUS
INTRODUCES USER RESEARCH METHODS SUCH AS CONTEXTUAL INQUIRY , ETHNOGRAPHIC FIELD
STUDIES, CARD SORTING , AFFINITY DIAGRAMMING, AND USABILITY TESTING THAT PROVIDE THE
FOUNDATION FOR USER-CENTERED DESIGN
This course works within the area of User Experience Design to focus on designing products (systems, websites,
anything) for users. We will learn usability and content strategies to provide efficient, effective, and satisfying
experiences for users who need to complete tasks with a product. To achieve this goal, we will focus on several
user requirements methods for gathering research about our users. You will learn research methods and
techniques through practical case studies. Then you will create an individualized project in which you select and
enact the user requirements methods for your selected product (system, interface, physical product, etc.)
This course is completely online in the Moodle platform (http://moodle.njit.edu) To be successful in this course,
you need to be independent, innovative, and entrepreneurial. You need to like working with new technologies and
have a willingness to learn different ways of doing things. You must contribute to online discussions as required in
the Moodle forums. You should have a low frustration level for problem solving and enjoy challenges. And, most
important, you need to be willing to contact the Help Desk for technology, NJIT software, and access problems.
If you accept these challenges, then welcome to PTC 610.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: COURAGE, C. & K. BAXTER. (2005) UNDERSTANDING YOUR USERS: A PRACTICAL
GUIDE TO USER REQUIREMENTS – METHODS, TOOLS, & TECHNIQUES . SAN FRANCISCO: M ORGAN KAUFMANN
PUB ISBN 1-55860-935-0. ALSO AS E-BOOK.
WEEK 1 INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
Topic: Understanding User Experience: Past, Present, and Future
Reading: Various online presentations and readings by the “Father of User Experience” Donald Norman
Task:
Forum – Welcome and Introductions; Short Report – Review one of Norman’s talks, books, or essays and
relate to analysis of any technology.
WEEK 2 INTRODUCTION TO USER REQUIREMENTS
Topic: Principles of User-Centered Design; Personas and Scenarios
Reading: Courage and Baxter – Chapters 1 & 2; Jacob Nielsen “When to Use Which User Experience Method”
Task:
Forum – Walk-Through Case Study in Mining Design Concepts, p. 59; Short Report – Persona and Scenario
for one user type
WEEK 3 ETHICS & RESEARCH METHODS
Topic:
Ethical Considerations; Conducting Interviews
Reading: Courage and Baxter – Chapters 3 & 7
Task:
Coding protocol and interview guide for semi-structured interview: Case Study
WEEK 4 COLLECTING USER REQUIREMENTS WITH A SURVEY
Topic: How to Create a Valid and Reliable Survey
Reading: Courage and Baxter – Chapter 8
Task: eBay Case Study Analysis, p. 359
WEEK 5 UNDERSTANDING LOGICAL INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Topic: Card Sorting and Affinity Diagramming
Reading: Courage and Baxter – Chapters 9& 10, Appendix F
Task: Team Card Sort and Affinity Diagram
WEEK 6 CONDUCTING EXPERT REVIEW
Topic:
Discovering Usability Defects Through Expert Inspections
Reading: Instructor’s materials posted in course
Task: Usability Test Report
WEEK 7 AUDITING CONTENT
Topic: 5 Top Tricks for Content Testing
Reading: Instructor’s materials posted in course
Task: Content Audit of Selected Website
WEEK 8 INDIVIDUALIZED USER EXPERIENCE PROJECT -- DEFINITION
Topic: Defining Topic and Creating Proposal
Reading: Courage and Baxter – Chapter 5
Task: Topic Announcement and Proposal Draft
WEEK 9 INDIVIDUALIZED USER EXPERIENCE PROJECT -- METHODS
Topic: Identifying and Setting Up Study
Reading: Courage and Baxter, Appropriate research methods chapters
Task: Final Proposal with layout of Research Method
WEEK 10 INDIVIDUALIZED USER EXPERIENCE PROJECT – CONDUCTING STUDY
Topic: Problem-solving Individual Research Methods
Reading: Courage and Baxter, Appropriate research methods chapters
Task: Updated status report of research study
WEEK 11 INDIVIDUALIZED USER EXPERIENCE PROJECT – CONDUCTING STUDY
Topic: Problem-solving Individual Research Methods
Reading: Courage and Baxter, Appropriate research methods chapters
Task: Updated status report of research study
WEEK 12 INDIVIDUALIZED USER EXPERIENCE PROJECT – DATA ANALYSIS
WEEK 13 INDIVIDUALIZED USER EXPERIENCE PROJECT – REPORTING FINDINGS
Topic: Verbal and Written Presentation of Findings
Reading: Courage and Baxter, Chapter 14
Task: Draft of written report
WEEK 14 INDIVIDUALIZED USER EXPERIENCE PROJECT – WRAPPING UP
Topic: Written Presentation of Findings
Task: Written Report due
WEEK 15 INDIVIDUALIZED USER EXPERIENCE PROJECT – WRAPPING UP
Topic: Verbal Presentation of Findings
Task: Camtasia Presentation posted in Forum