Module Content

NOTE: This module introduces new and emerging trends the detailed content, therefore, is variable but will typically include: 

• Methods and Techniques for Evaluating User Experience – e.g., User Studies, Analytics 

• Methods and Techniques for Researching User Experience – e.g., Mixed Methods, Experimental Studies 

• Design Practice within User Experience – e.g., Prototyping, Ideation 

• User Experience in Different Contexts – e.g., with Children, in Education, for Wellbeing 

• User Experience in Relation to Novel and Emerging Themes and Technologies – e.g., Gesture-based Interaction, Virtual UX 
• Critical Conversations about User Experience – e.g., Technological Determinism, Ethical Dilemmas 

Teaching Methods

The core learning material will be delivered during lecture sessions; these will be available on the web for online use where they will be augmented with additional learning materials and tasks. Face-to-face seminar sessions will give the students the chance to discuss and present their work in a critical environment. Visiting academics and researchers from UCLan will supplement the core curriculum with lectures on current UX topics. 

This module will reflect current topics and the research interests of the staff. Consequently, the details of the assessment will vary. In assignment 1, students will be expected to report on the application of techniques to a given situation before drawing on relevant literature to evaluate the techniques in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, etc. in that situation. Students may be asked to apply UX techniques to analyse a system or to carry out an experiment to gather data (e.g., on the performance of users with different types of technology). However, the techniques that students are asked to consider will depend on the staff’s research interests. 

In the critical analysis, students may be given the opportunity to investigate a current issue starting with given seed articles and review relevant research approaches and ethical issues. Students will be encouraged to include relevant areas and articles that are of particular interest to them. 

Assessment Methods

1. Academic Poster and report - weight 50%
2. Final Exam - weight 50%
To pass this module you must achieve a mark of 50% or above, aggregated across all the assessments.