This course is designed for graduate students to learn how to conduct HCI research. You will learn to formulate problems into research questions, to do a literature review, to design and conduct experiments. You will read, present, and discuss state-of-art and classic papers. And ultimately, you will conduct an HCI research project to solve a usability problem as a team and write an HCI paper.
This was previously CS6501: Special Topics in Human-Computer Interaction and just given a permanent course number assigned. If you have taken that course, you do not need to take this course.
The best way to learn to conduct research is to do it.Therefore, in this course, you will do the following activities that are essential in HCI research:
While this course welcomes students with a diverse background, you should be able to write code for successful completion of the project.
| Week | Tuesday | Thursday | Readings / Quiz / Assignments | Project |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 8/26 & 8/28 |
Course Introduction | Introduction to HCI Research | Reading 1 | |
| Week 2 9/2 & 9/4 |
Interaction Design 1 | Interaction Design 2 | Reading 2 | |
| Week 3 9/9 & 9/11 |
Human Factors 1 | Human Factors 2 | Reading 3 | |
| Week 4 9/16 & 9/18 |
Quantitative Evaluation 1 | Quantitative Evaluation 2 | ||
| Week 5 9/23 & 9/25 |
Quantitative Evaluation 3 | Project Team Building | Quiz 1 | Team Building |
| Week 6 9/30 & 10/2 |
[No class - Instructor at UIST] | [No class - Instructor at UIST] | ||
| Week 7 10/7 & 10/9 |
Analyzing Quantitative Results | Project Proposal | Quantitative Evaluation | Proposal Document |
| Week 8 10/14 & 10/16 |
[No class - Reading Day] | Developing research questions | ||
| Week 9 10/21 & 10/23 |
Qualitative Evaluation 1 | Qualitative Evaluation 2 | Quiz 2 | |
| Week 10 10/28 & 10/30 |
Qualitative Evaluation 3 | Analyzing Qualitative Results | ||
| Week 11 11/4 & 11/6 |
No Class — Election Day | Conducting Studies | ||
| Week 12 11/11 & 11/13 |
Project Progress 1/2 | Project Progress 2/2 | Progress Document | |
| Week 13 11/18 & 11/20 |
Modeling Interaction 1 | Modeling Interaction 2 | Quiz 3 | |
| Week 14 11/25 & 11/27 |
Project Work Time | [No class - Thanksgiving Break] | ||
| Week 15 12/2 & 12/4 |
Modeling Interaction 3 | Final Presentation 1/2 | ||
| Week 16 12/9 |
Final Presentation 2/2 | Final Report |
You may use AI for getting help with reports and assignments. There are two requirements:
It is my goal to create a learning experience that is as accessible as possible. If you anticipate any issues related to the format, materials, or requirements of this course, please meet with me outside of class so we can explore potential options. Students with disabilities may also wish to work with the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC) to discuss a range of options to removing barriers in this course, including official accommodations. We are fortunate to have an SDAC advisor, Courtney MacMasters, physically located in Engineering. You may email her at cmacmasters@virginia.edu to schedule an appointment. For general questions please visit the SDAC website: https://sdac.studenthealth.virginia.edu. If you have already been approved for accommodations through SDAC, please send me your accommodation letter and meet with me so we can develop an implementation plan together.
The University of Virginia is dedicated to providing a safe and equitable learning environment for all students. To that end, it is vital that you know two values that I and the University hold as critically important:
If you or someone you know has been affected by power-based personal violence, more information can be found on the UVA Sexual Violence website that describes reporting options and resources available - www.virginia.edu/sexualviolence.
As your professor and as a person, know that I care about you and your well-being and stand ready to provide support and resources as I can. As a faculty member, I am a responsible employee, which means that I am required by University policy and federal law to report what you tell me to the University's Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator's job is to ensure that the reporting student receives the resources and support that they need, while also reviewing the information presented to determine whether further action is necessary to ensure survivor safety and the safety of the University community. If you wish to report something that you have seen, you can do so at the Just Report It portal (http://justreportit.virginia.edu/). The worst possible situation would be for you or your friend to remain silent when there are so many here willing and able to help.
It is the University's long-standing policy and practice to reasonably accommodate students so that they do not experience an adverse academic consequence when sincerely held religious beliefs or observances conflict with academic requirements.
Students who wish to request academic accommodation for a religious observance should submit their request in writing directly to me as far in advance as possible. Students who have questions or concerns about academic accommodations for religious observance or religious beliefs may contact the University’s Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) at UVAEOCR@virginia.edu or 434-924-3200.
The University of Virginia is dedicated to providing a safe and equitable learning environment for all students. If you or someone you know has been affected by power-based personal violence, more information can be found on the UVA Sexual Violence website that describes reporting options and resources available - www.virginia.edu/sexualviolence.
The same resources and options for individuals who experience sexual misconduct are available for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. UVA prohibits discrimination and harassment based on age, color, disability, family medical or genetic information, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. UVA policy also prohibits retaliation for reporting such behavior.
If you witness or are aware of someone who has experienced prohibited conduct, you are encouraged to submit a report to Just Report It (justreportit.virginia.edu) or contact EOCR, the office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights.
If you would prefer to disclose such conduct to a confidential resource where what you share is not reported to the University, you can turn to Counseling & Psychological Services (“CAPS”) and Women’s Center Counseling Staff and Confidential Advocates (for students of all genders).
As your professor and as a person, know that I care about you and your well-being and stand ready to provide support and resources as I can. As a faculty member, I am a responsible employee, which means that I am required by University policy and by federal law to report certain kinds of conduct that you report to me to the University's Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator's job is to ensure that the reporting student receives the resources and support that they need, while also determining whether further action is necessary to ensure survivor safety and the safety of the University community.
I trust every student in this course to fully comply with all of the provisions of the University’s Honor Code. By enrolling in this course, you have agreed to abide by and uphold the Honor System of the University of Virginia, as well as the following policies specific to this course.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the course Honor policy. If you believe you may have committed an Honor Offense, you may wish to file a Conscientious Retraction by calling the Honor Offices at (434) 924-7602. For your retraction to be considered valid, it must, among other things, be filed with the Honor Committee before you are aware that the act in question has come under suspicion by anyone. More information can be found at http://honor.virginia.edu. Your Honor representatives can be found at: http://honor.virginia.edu/representatives.
Engaging in your career development is an important part of your student experience. For example, presenting at a research conference, attending an interview for a job or internship, or participating in an extern/shadowing experience are not only necessary steps on your path but are also invaluable lessons in and of themselves. I wish to encourage and support you in activities related to your career development. To that end, please notify me by email as far in advance as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
You have many resources available to you when you experience academic or personal stresses. In addition to your professor, the School of Engineering and Applied Science has staff members located in Thornton Hall who you can contact to help manage academic or personal challenges. Please do not wait until the end of the semester to ask for help!
*You may schedule time with the CAPS counselors through Student Health (https://www.studenthealth.virginia.edu/getting-started-caps). When scheduling, be sure to specify that you are an Engineering student. You are also urged to use TimelyCare for either scheduled or on-demand 24/7 mental health care.
The Center for Connection (The Connect) is a dedicated student space within UVA Engineering that fosters academic success and personal growth. Through its programs and initiatives, The Connect helps students strengthen their engineering identity while providing resources to help them thrive during their studies and beyond. Our work centers on three key areas: student belonging and development, academic support, and community programming grounded in intentional, data-driven strategies.
The Connect features an open study area, a flexible event space, and on-site staff who provide direct support and advising to students. It is part of the Office of Community, Opportunity, and Engagement.