PSBB069 User & Usability Research

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2022
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. David Kuneš, Ph.D. (lecturer), PhDr. Zuzana Slováčková, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. David Kuneš, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jarmila Valchářová
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Mon 18:00–19:40 D33
Prerequisites
PSBA009 Methodology of Psychology I && PSBA012 Statistics I
Basic knowledge of scientific research; interest in software, apps, devices, etc.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The subject will help students to learn how to use psychological knowledge interdisciplinary, in particular in the research and development domain. They can utilize their understandings in any applied research in general: in software and hardware development, in marketing, work psychology, and related fields.
Learning outcomes
Students will learn to design software applications, considering the psychology of a user. They will get familiar with using methods and techniques to ascertain the needs and limitations of users. Furthermore, they will learn to apply psychological knowledge when designing various devices and software, and when developing new technologies.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to user research: What is user research and its importance in product development? Double-diamond model. The role of a psychologist in user research.
  • 2. Discovery: understanding user needs and motivations. Techniques for conducting user interviews and surveys. Creating personas and journey maps.
  • 3. Research Planning and Research Strategy: Selecting appropriate research methods and tools. Sampling. Developing a research plan and timeline.
  • 4. Competition analysis: Identification of strengths and weaknesses of competitors' products. Analysis of market trends and user expectations.
  • 5. Information architecture and content strategy: Designing meaningful information hierarchies. Card sorting method for content organization. Creating content and strategies for optimal user experience.
  • 6. Ideation and concept generation: techniques for generating and refining design ideas. Using convergent and divergent thought processes. Sketches and wireframes.
  • 7. Concept Validation and Prototyping: Testing and validating design concepts with users. Creating low-fidelity prototypes. Gathering feedback and design iterations.
  • 8. User testing: measuring usability, heuristic evaluation. Remote and in-person user testing. Applications for remote testing. Analysis and interpretation of user testing data.
  • 9. User testing: Test preparation. Setting up test scenarios. Recruiting research participants and effective moderation.
  • 10. User testing: data analysis and interpretation. Processing qualitative and quantitative data. Identifying patterns, trends, and insights. Summarizing findings into actionable recommendations.
  • 11. Other topics as required by students
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Erica Hall - Just Enough Research
  • Joe Natoli - Think First
  • Abby Covert - How to Make Sense of any Mess
    not specified
  • KALBACH, Jim. Mapping experiences : a guide to creating value through journeys, blueprints, and diagrams. Beijing: O'Reilly, 2016, xix, 359. ISBN 9781491923535. info
  • ARIELY, Dan. Predictably irrational: the hidden forces that shape our decisions. 2008th ed. New York: Harper, 2008, 280 pp. ISBN 0-06-135323-X. info
  • TRAVIS, David and Philip HODGSON. Think like a UX researcher : how to observe users, influence design, and shape business strategy. Boca Raton: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, 2019, xii, 294. ISBN 9781138365353. info
  • Wickens Lee Liu Gordon-Becker - An Introduction to Human Factors Engineering
  • Rache Ivy Clarke - Design Thinking
Teaching methods
Lectures and group projects
Assessment methods
discussion
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2022/PSBB069