Module Details

Module Code: MMED9030
Title: Evaluation Methodologies
Long Title: Evaluation Methodologies
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 10
Field of Study: 2130 - Multimedia
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: The aim of this module is to explore how qualitative and quantitative research methods can be used to investigate and improve the usability and user experience of digital products and services. The module is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to plan and execute a user study, including defining a methodology and capturing data. The module is focused on the planning and design of an empirical research study, rather than its execution.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Discuss qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods and approaches for user experience and service design.
LO2 Plan a user research study (i.e. usability or user experience testing) on a digital media product or service.
LO3 Identify and critique approaches and methods for conducting user research within the user experience and service design spaces.
LO4 Discuss ethical considerations when conducting research, including consent, risk, data protection, and recruitment.
LO5 Appraise related and state-of-the-art literature on methodological approaches to research, to inform and develop an approach to study design.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Research Methods
Through lecture-based classes, students will be introduced to qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods for UX and service design. They will engage with the concepts and decisions to be made when designing a research study, including procedures, sampling issues, collecting data, recruiting participants and data types.
Project Planning and Study Design
Students will be guided to plan and develop a user study through tutorial-based labs. Each learner will be guided to write a set of research questions, select appropriate methods, describe their methodology, and investigate related work.
Ethics in Empirical Research
In-class delivery of content related to ethical research, with topics including honesty and integrity, fair treatment of participants, the process of applying for ethical approval, risk analysis, and informed consent. Learners will be required to identify the specific ethical risks related to their research study design, and to outline a plan to mitigate these risks via the completion of an ethical application document.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Define research questions and methodology. Identify data collection procedures and storage methods. Present study details via an ethical application document.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 60
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Present a detailed discussion and plan for the conduction of a rigorous research study. Discuss methodological design and provide a literature review of related works. Discuss ethical implications and limitations of research study.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Presentation and discussion of research methodologies and approaches. Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Tutoring and guidance on individual research study planning and deployment. Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study of theory examined in class and development of project work. Every Week 11.00 11
Total Hours 14.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 14.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Presentation and discussion of research methodologies and approaches. Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Tutoring and guidance on individual research study planning and deployment. Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study of theory examined in class and development of project work. Every Week 11.00 11
Total Hours 14.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 14.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Uwe Flick.. (2022), An introduction to qualitative research, [ISBN: 9781529781328].
  • Marc Stickdorn, Adam Lawrence, Markus Hormess and Jakob Schneider. (2018), This is Service Design Doing, [ISBN: 9781491927137].
  • Lou Downe. (2020), Good services, [ISBN: 9789063695439].
  • Kim Goodwin. (2009), Designing for the Digital Age: How to Create Human-Centered Products and Services, [ISBN: 9780470229101].
  • Russ Unger, Carolyn Chandler.. (2009), A Project Guide to UX Design: For user experience designers in the field or in the making (Voices That Matter), [ISBN: 0321607376].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HUXSE_9 Master of Arts in User Experience and Service Design 2 Mandatory
CR_HUXSR_9 Master of Science in User Experience and Service Design 2 Mandatory