CMP2019M Human-Computer Interaction
Part 1: Practical Exercises
Workshop 8: Quantitative Evaluation
Please work in pairs. Toward the end of the workshop, please be prepared to present your results to the rest of the group.
1. This task is about making observations. One of you will assume the role of the observer, the other person will carry a search task while the observer takes notes of their behaviour and emotions.
Task 1) Find the price and name of an E27 10W LED lightbulb at IKEA, http://www.ikea.co.uk – now switch roles –
Task 2) Find the price and name of an E27 9W LED lightbulb at B&Q, http://www.diy.com
Compare your observer notes. Did you record difficulties when completing any of the tasks? How did you learn that the person carrying out the search task was having difficulties? As the person carrying out the task, do you agree with the observations and interpretations of the observer?
Individually, write up a 2-3 sentence summary that reflects upon your experience making observations, commenting on aspects that observations can, and cannot reveal.
2. Use Word to develop a questionnaire to survey the experience that students have when attending lectures. As a minimum, your survey should gather the following information: Name of the lecture, quantified overall experience, positive aspects, and negative aspects.
Remember that you can use open questions, closed questions, and scales. Reflect upon your choice of measures.
Bonus: Which other information should be included in the survey?
Part 2: Theory
1. Explain the concept of operationalising, and give an example of how you would operationalise student satisfaction with a certain module so that it could be measured through observation. Write no more than 2-3 sentences.
2. Explain the difference between open and closed questions, and name an advantage and disadvantage each. Write no more than 4-5 sentences.
3. Reflect upon quantitative research – research that aims to make phenomena countable – and outline a challenge that this approach creates (for example, by comparing it to qualitative research). Write no more than 4-5 sentences.