Usability Evaluation
Användbarhetsutvärdering

MAMF50, 7.5 credits, G2 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED C/D
Date of Decision: 2024-04-16
Effective: 2024-05-08

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: First cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective mandatory for: MVAR2
Elective for: C4-adv, D5-se, MD4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

This course is focused on how to investigate and evaluate interactive products.
Key concepts are Usability and User Experience. What do they mean?
How do you know if a product has good usability, and how do you measure it?
When investigating a product’s usability, one can employ a wide array of different methods/techniques.
One such method is user testing, which has much in common with experimental research.
This course will especially deal with how to plan and conduct user testing.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• Have knowledge of central concepts such as Usability, User Experience (UX) and User-Centered Design (UCD).
• Have knowledge of various methods and techniques for investigating and evaluating usability/user experience.
• Have knowledge of how to plan and conduct user tests, with respect to purpose, research questions and test design.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• Have skills in creating a test plan, preparing materials, and executing user tests.
• Have skills in selecting and dealing with test participants.
• Have skills in observing performance, as well as inquiring participants.
• Have skills in analyzing results, drawing conclusions and reporting the investigation.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to value the suitability of different methods and techniques in relation to the purpose and available resources.
• Be able to value uncertainties and shortcomings in results.

Contents

Definitions of general concepts: Usability, User Experience (UX), User Centered Design (UCD).

Different approaches: Formative vs. Summative investigation, Analytical vs. Empirical investigation.

User testing as an investigation method, as well as alternatives such as: Personas, Task analysis, Cognitive Walkthrough, Heuristic evaluation, Surveys, Ethnographic observation, Focus groups, etc.

How to plan and conduct user testing: design of a test plan, selection and recruitment of participants, observation and moderation, analysis and reporting.

Lectures along with project work where the students create a test plan, prepare test materials, and carry out user tests.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

Project in combination with a written examination. For the final grade, the results from the exam and project work are added together.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0118. Name: Usability Evaluation.
Credits: 7.5. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Approved written exam. The module includes: Written exam.
Code: 0218. Name: Project.
Credits: 0.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Approved project work. The module includes: Project work.

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: MAMN25 Interaction Design or MAMA20 Cognition & Interaction Design
The number of participants is limited to: No

Reading list

• Rubin, Jeffrey & Chisnell, Dana: “Handbook of Usability Testing” (2nd edition), John Wiley & Sons Inc (2008).
• Lecture notes.

Contact

Course coordinator: Joakim Eriksson, joakim.eriksson@design.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.design.lth.se

Further information