UX-06a-Scientific Foundations of UX Research (part 1)

Summary

This lecture focuses on the fundamentals of scientific research in the context of user experience (UX). It discusses various definitions of research, ranging from careful search and data collection to investigative experiments aimed at discovering new facts or revising existing theories. The importance of conducting structured and standardized experiments in UX research is emphasized, particularly when testing prototypes or interaction designs. The session also explores the role of academic research in contributing to knowledge and advancing fields through proper publication, ensuring findings are shared and refined by other researchers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Research has multiple definitions, ranging from a thorough search to collecting specific information and conducting experiments to discover new facts.
• 😀 In the context of academic research, it involves investigating existing theories and discovering new knowledge, often leading to the revision of old theories.
• 😀 One example of research in popular media is independent research proving the speed and reliability of internet services.
• 😀 Research can also refer to surveys or experiments, such as observing how people interact with technology or collecting opinions during elections.
• 😀 The central activity in user experience (UX) research is experimentation, which helps validate designs or prototypes.
• 😀 Experiments in UX are conducted with a standardized methodology to ensure consistency and accuracy, allowing for valid comparisons between studies.
• 😀 UX research involves creating prototypes and validating them with users, which is part of the user-centered design methodology.
• 😀 The process of experimentation in UX research is rigidly structured to avoid errors and ensure data consistency.
• 😀 Academic research is aimed at contributing to a field by generating new ideas, revising old theories, or finding new facts.
• 😀 The publication of research findings is crucial for disseminating knowledge and contributing to the growth of a scientific field.
• 😀 Without publishing, research cannot reach its full potential, as it will not be available for others to refine and build upon.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the discussion in the script?

The main focus of the discussion is on the concept of scientific research, specifically in the context of user experience (UX) and how research methodologies can be applied to UX studies, such as experiments and prototype testing.

How does the script define 'research'?

The script defines research in three ways: 1) as a diligent search for information, 2) as collecting information about a specific subject, and 3) as an investigation or experiment aimed at discovering or interpreting facts.

What is the significance of the third definition of research mentioned in the script?

The third definition, which involves investigation or experimentation to discover new facts or interpret existing ones, is central to the context of user experience research, where experiments are conducted to test hypotheses and validate design choices.

Why is experimentation crucial in UX research?

Experimentation is crucial in UX research because it allows for testing prototypes and design ideas with real users, ensuring that the designs meet user needs and are effective in improving user interaction.

What role does 'standardization' play in UX research experiments?

Standardization in UX research experiments ensures that the procedures are consistent across participants, which allows for valid comparisons of results. This consistency helps in generating reliable data and minimizing errors or biases.

What is the importance of participant selection in UX research experiments?

Participant selection is important because it ensures that the sample accurately represents the target user base. Proper selection ensures that the results of the experiment are applicable to the larger population and not skewed by unrepresentative data.

How does the script distinguish between research and engineering?

The script distinguishes research from engineering by stating that research is focused on discovering new ideas or testing theories, while engineering is product-oriented and focuses on creating and optimizing products.

Why is publication emphasized in academic research?

Publication is emphasized because it allows research findings to be disseminated to the wider academic and professional communities. This enables other researchers to build upon the work, refine ideas, and contribute to the advancement of the field.

What happens if research findings are not published?

If research findings are not published, they may either be claimed by other researchers or become irrelevant, as the knowledge remains inaccessible to others, limiting its impact on the field.

How does academic research contribute to the advancement of knowledge?

Academic research contributes by introducing new ideas, theories, or discoveries, which can then be refined and expanded upon by other researchers, advancing the field and increasing our understanding of a particular area.