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Unit outline_

DECO2019: Qualitative Research in Design

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study teaches qualitative research methodologies in a human-centred design context. This unit will prepare students for the common industry context of needing to capture latent user needs and diverse stakeholder perspectives to arrive at effective products and services. Students will be required to use qualitative data to synthesise actionable design insights. In this unit of study students will learn how to generate data though observational and interactive methods. This unit explores how qualitative research methods originating in the humanities can be effectively applied to a human-centred design context whilst retaining their rigour and criticality. At the conclusion of this unit students will be able to apply these advanced qualitative methods in their design practice.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
DECO1006 or DECO2016
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Bow Wu, yiying.wu@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Nina Hansopaheluwakan, nina.edward@sydney.edu.au
Bow Wu, yiying.wu@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Alyse Behringer, alyse.behringer@sydney.edu.au
Diana Chamma, diana.chamma@sydney.edu.au
Jie Meng, jie.meng@sydney.edu.au
Alessia Cibin, alessia.cibin@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment A1: Mid-term research report: Stories from the field
report, presentation
25% Week 07
Due date: 09 Sep 2024 at 23:59
report, zine/poster
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Assignment group assignment A2: Final-research result
visual report, presentation
25% Week 13
Due date: 28 Oct 2024 at 23:59
visual report
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO7
Small continuous assessment Reflective journal
written diaries
30% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59
250-300words, 10page notes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8
Participation Participation
Participation, engagement
20% Weekly Weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO8
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

A1: mid-term research report: Stories from the field

A2: Final research report

A3: reflective journals

A4: participation and engagement

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Welcome to DECO2019! Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Why Qualitative Methods? Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO7 LO8
Week 02 Ethical Engagement and Positionality Lecture (1 hr) LO4
Consent and identity exercise Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO8
Week 03 Ethnographic research: Doing fieldwork Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Field observation exercise Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Designerly ways of doing fieldwork Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Sensory ethnography exercise Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Generative design research Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Design/cultural probes exercise Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 06 Qualitative research for design in praxis: part 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO8
Collage/zine making exercise Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 07 Mid-term presentation-Fair Presentation (1 hr) LO3 LO8
Mid-term presentation Presentation (2 hr) LO7 LO8
Week 08 Sampling in qualitative research Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Sampling techniques exercise Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 09 Thematic Analysis Lecture (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Thematic analysis exercise and case study Tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 10 Interpretation, other data analysis techniques Lecture (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Insight generation exercise Tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 11 Visualising qualitative data, ensuring quality in qualitative research Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO8
Visualizing Qualitative Research Tutorial (2 hr) LO6 LO8
Week 12 Qualitative research for design in praxis Part 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO8
Ensuring quality in qualitative research - exercise Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 13 Final presentation-Fair Presentation (1 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8
Final presentation Presentation (2 hr) LO7 LO8

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand basic theoretical concepts in relation to qualitative research
  • LO2. Understand the principles of qualitative research design and implementation
  • LO3. Understand and apply within practical settings a range of qualitative methods including ethnography, focus groups and experience sampling
  • LO4. Demonstrate an understanding of the application of human ethics in relation to qualitative research methods
  • LO5. Understand the principles of qualitative data analysis including thematic analysis
  • LO6. Understand the principles of qualitative data synthesis
  • LO7. Work effectively in teams and interact with other students to determine appropriate uses of qualitative methods
  • LO8. Engage in critical self-reflection with regard to understanding and using qualitative methods.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Will be changing the assignment requirements based on 2022 USS results

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.