General provisions

The course is given on the Master's programme in human computer interaction as well as an elective course. The language of instruction is English.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies) containing IT-related course modules comprising the equivalent of at least 30 credits total. Proficiency in English equivalent to the general entry requirements for first-cycle (Bachelor's level) studies.

Learning outcomes

The aim is that the student should acquire knowledge of scientific methods in human computer interaction and their applicability. The aim is further to be able to assess the quality of a study. On completion of the course, the student is expected:

Knowledge and understanding

- be able to account for the philosophic and methodological positions that lie behind a number of scientific paradigms in human computer interaction

- understand central scientific methods in human computer interaction

- be able to present advantages and disadvantages with different analytical methods in human computer interaction

Competence and skills

- be able to formulate research questions in human computer interaction, choose appropriate methods and make simple analyses

- be able to orally and in writing present the results of analyses or smaller studies

Judgement and approach

- be able to handle ethical problems associated with different kinds of human-computer interaction analyses

- be familiar with possibilities and risks related to human-computer interaction research and its use

- be able to critically review and evaluate simple scientific articles in the subject

Content

Science-philosophical approaches applied to human-computer interaction, HCI. Ontology and Epistemology. Central scientific methods in human-computer interaction.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars as well as supervision.

Assessment

The students are assessed through their performance in seminars, the quality of their coursework and the results on a written exam.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator or a decision by the department's working group for study matters.