III. Course Description:

Research methodologies and statistical analysis for applied research; experimental, quasiexperimental and nonexperimental designs, emphasizing applied psychological research. Topics include the major data analytic tools needed for applied research.

IV. Prerequisites:

Undergraduate degree in Psychology or Computer Science and PSY 280 and PSY 290 or permission of the instructor.

IV. Justification for Course:

This course will provide students in the Masters degree program in HCI the skills required to conduct applied research related to assessing the human abilities related to HCI and human performance while operating those interfaces. This course along with the Human Computer Interaction (PSY 5xxx) course and the Software Design course will ensure that students with varied backgrounds will have the same understanding of the fundamentals of HCI design and analysis.

VI. Course Objectives:

The primary objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the research methodologies and statistical techniques necessary for conducting experimental and non-experimental research This will be accomplished through lectures and laboratory exercises that will provide the students with the opportunity to apply the methodologies discussed in the course. The specific goals of this course are to provide students with:

     A. An understanding of the research process and how it relates to HCI design

     B. Develop the ability to define critical research problems

     C. Develop the ability to plan research designs

     D. The ability to critically interpret research results

     E. An understanding of statistical software (SPSS) used in data analysis

VII. Course Outline:

All of the topics covered in this course outline will have accompanying laboratory projects in which the students will have the opportunity to employ the methodologies.

     A. Statistics review

     Overview of parametric and nonparametric statistical techniques and an overview of SPSS for Windows.

     B. Research design considerations

          1. Field vs. laboratory

          2. Methods of observation

          3. Control

          4. Sample size

     C. Linear Models

          1. Simple and multiple regression

          2. Experimental designs

               a. One-way analysis of variance

               b. Factorial designs

               c. Repeated vs. between subjects designs

          3. Nonparametric techniques

     D. Quasi and non-experimental designs

VIII. Methods of Instruction:

Lectures,demonstrations, laboratory exercises applying course principles to “real-world” problems, class discussions, group projects.

IX. Means of Evaluation:

Examinations, homework, research project or proposal.

X. Resources:

The participating departments have the faculty resources and expertise to offer this course. Instructional Technologies and the Department of Psychology have computer laboratories the computational needs of the course. The current library holdings in conjunction with access to intra-library loan will be sufficient for the variety of courses offered.

XI. Bibliography:

Birnbaum, M. (2001) Introduction to Behavioral Research on the Internet Prentice Hall Esterberg, K. G. (2002) Qualitative Methods in Social Research. McGraw Hill. George, D, & Mallery, P. (2001). SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference, 10.0 Update (3