User Research and UCD

Code:

URUCD01

Acronym:

URUCD

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Design

Instance: 2022/2023 - 1S (edição n.º 1)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Design
Course/CS Responsible:	Design of Health Technologies

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
DTS	10	Plan of Studies of the Specialization in Design of Health Technology Design	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

User Research
Understanding the potential of ethnographic techniques applied to User-Research
Knowledge of the different methods of supporting User-Research
Preparation and applicability of each method
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different methods and best practices

Learning outcomes and competences

The learning objectives are focused on User Research, emphasising the application of ethnographic techniques to understand better users, the different methods of supporting User Research, the preparation and applicability of each method, and practices.
The study plan addresses these objectives by providing a comprehensive overview of the different User Research methods and techniques. HCD methodologies are covered to provide insights into users’ requirements and how they interact with products and services in real-world settings.
Usability and field tests are covered, providing opportunities to test and refine products and services in real-world scenarios. Longitudinal studies and ethics are covered, which help understand the long-term impacts of products and services on users.
Finally, design requirements, user models, and usage scenarios are covered.

Working method

B-learning

Program

HCD methodologies.
Ethnography and Observation
Interviews / Focus groups
Qualitative Analysis
Participatory Design
Cultural and Technological Probes
Usability Tests
Field Tests
Longitudinal Studies + Ethics
Design requirements, user models and usage scenarios

Mandatory literature

BILL GAVER, TONY DUNNE AND ELENA PACENTI; Cultural Probes, Interactions, Volume 6 Issue 1Jan./Feb. 1999 pp 21–29https://doi.org/10.1145/291224.291235
Graham Button; The ethnographic tradition and design, Design Studies
Lesley Axelrod; A Toolkit to Explore Lived Experience of Motivation: When Words are Not Enough

Teaching methods and learning activities

In-person participation: 20%
Laboratory work: 80%
Classes will assume a PBL "Problem-Based Learning" learning approach with three complementary components: Expositive (where the professor will present the subject and points of analysis); Practice (where the professor will promote exercises to solve in class time and outside class); Lecture (where a guest from the R&D area or industry will complement the themes of some classes). In this sense, the planning of the CUs will reserve space for "Flipped Classes", where students will present and explain to the class the work process and the results of the exercises, constituting these classes as relevant moments of learning and assessment of competencies.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	20,00
Trabalho laboratorial	80,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Trabalho laboratorial	21,00
Total:	21,00

Eligibility for exams

In-person participation: 20%
Laboratory work: 80%
Classes will assume a PBL "Problem-Based Learning" learning approach with three complementary components: Expositive (where the professor will present the subject and points of analysis); Practice (where the professor will promote exercises to solve in class time and outside class); Lecture (where a guest from the R&D area or industry will complement the themes of some classes). In this sense, the planning of the CUs will reserve space for "Flipped Classes", where students will present and explain to the class the work process and the results of the exercises, constituting these classes as relevant moments of learning and assessment of competencies.

Calculation formula of final grade

In-person participation: 20%
Laboratory work: 80%