Core Module Information
Module title: User-Centred Research Methods

SCQF level: 09:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: INF09116
Module leader: Rachel Salzano
School School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group: Applied Informatics
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Description of module content:

The module addresses user-centred approaches to the design and evaluation of information systems for organisations. It focuses on research methods and usability testing toensure that systems are designed to meet organisational objectives and the needs of users and other stakeholders. You will gain practical research method skills in obtaining andanalysing data on organisational and user requirements which may also be applied in other types of research project (including your final year Honours project). You will learnabout theories, models, methods and techniques for quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis and reporting. This knowledge will be applied in a coursework project toanalyse an existing system or to specify a new system and produce a set of recommendations and/or design specifications.This module will cover standard user-centred research methods for understanding organisational systems. In particular the following topics will be covered:- Organisational imperatives for user-centred systems- Contextual enquiry (understanding user needs), generating requirements, identifying stakeholders, and user experience modelling- Quantitative and qualitative research methods including interviewing, focus groups, ethnography- Data collection and analysis techniques for research methods- Evaluation methods and criteria- Legal and ethical implications of user-centred research methods in organisations

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to
LO1: Critically assess organisational drivers for, and benefits from, user-centred information systems.
LO2: Understand and evaluate the different kinds of user-centred methods for identifying and collecting
information to assist development of organisational systems.
LO3: Design and apply user-centred research methods to an organisational system.
LO4: Understand the legal and ethical implications of the user-centred methodology approach to
organisational systems.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2024/5, Trimester 1, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Rachel Salzano
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 20 LECTURE
Online Guided independent study 160 Guided Independent Study
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 20 Practical Classes and Workshops
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Essay 50 1~2~4 Week 8 , WORDS= 2000 Report
Portfolio 50 2~3 Week 13 , WORDS= 2500 - 3000 Portfolio
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
INF09116 User-Centred Research Methods