Usability testing, 6 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master Programme in Cognitive Science

Entry requirements

For admission to the course, the specific entry requirements that apply to the Master's Programme in Cognitive Science must be satisfied.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- account for usability testing as a method,
- account for the use of technical tools in usability testing
- carry out usability tests with relevant measures
- use of technical tools for usability testing
- present results of usability tests in a way that maximises the use
- account for gender aspects and equality aspects related to usability testing
- evaluate and discuss usability testing and different measures, and in which contexts they are best suited.

Course content

Collect, analyse, and present usability measures, including the following themes:
- Plan a usability test
- Performance measures
- Problem-based measures
- Self-reported measures
- Behavioural and psychological measures
- Combined and comparative measures

Teaching and working methods

The course consists of lectures, seminars with student presentations, as well as implementation of usability testing, which is presented orally and in writing.
The course requires a large independent effort in addition to the scheduled teaching.

Examination

The course is examined through:
- Oral presentations and active participation in seminars
- Individual projects with oral and written presentations. Detailed information can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department