Understanding User Needs

Understanding User Needs

This course is part of User Experience Research and Design Specialization

Instructor: Kentaro Toyama

Access provided by New York State Department of Labor

40,501 already enrolled

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4.7

(528 reviews)

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

92%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4.7

(528 reviews)

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

92%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Understand user needs assessments and qualitative research
Learn an end-to-end methodology for qualitative research
Explore good practices for conducting semi-structured interviews, in-situ observation, and affinity walls

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

11 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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This course is part of the User Experience Research and Design Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 5 modules in this course

Designing effective interactive systems requires understanding the needs and capabilities of the people who will be using them. In this UX course we will focus on how to interact with users (or potential users) to understand what they need, what they currently do, what they love and hate, and examine human capabilities and behavior as they relate to UX design.

Learners will be introduced to numerous techniques to gather data from and about users. This course is part of the User Experience (UX) Research and Design specialization offered on Coursera. What you'll learn: Find out what user needs assessments are, what qualitative research is, and how the two are related. Learn an end-to-end methodology for qualitative research that is suited for understanding user needs. The methodology includes knowledge of semi-structured interviews, in-situ observation, and affinity walls. Be exposed to good practices for conducting semi-structured interviews, in-situ observation, and affinity walls. Gain some experience with semi-structured interviews, in-situ observations, and affinity walls.

What's included

3 videos5 readings3 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts

3 videosTotal 17 minutes

1.1 Introduction to User Needs Assessment7 minutesPreview module
1.2 Overview of Qualitative Research5 minutes
1.3 User Needs Assessment Mini-Project4 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Welcome Announcement10 minutes
Course Syllabus10 minutes
Help Us Learn More About You!10 minutes
Mini-Project Assignment Handout10 minutes
Stop! Did you score a 70% on your first peer assessment?10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 23 minutes

Learn to Grade: Decide on a Mini-Project2 minutes
User Needs Assessment and Qualitative Research20 minutes
Peer Review 1 Self-Check1 minute

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Decide on a Mini-Project60 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Introduce Yourself10 minutes
Lesson 110 minutes

What's included

3 videos2 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

3 videosTotal 20 minutes

2.1 Semi-Structured Interviews2 minutesPreview module
2.2 Components of an Interview Protocol7 minutes
2.3 Good Practices for Interview Protocols10 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Resource: Interview Protocol Template10 minutes
Interview Protocol Assignment Handout10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 22 minutes

Learn to Grade: Write an Interview Protocol2 minutes
Interview Protocols20 minutes
Peer Review 2 Self-Check0 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Write an Interview Protocol60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Lesson 210 minutes

What's included

5 videos2 readings2 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 39 minutes

3.1 Sample Interview14 minutesPreview module
3.2 Tips for Interviewing9 minutes
3.3 Observing Users6 minutes
Sample Think-Aloud Protocol3 minutes
3.4 Extracting Data from Interview5 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

A Quick Note on the Upcoming Lecture10 minutes
Interview and Data Extraction Assignment Handout10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 21 minutes

Interviewing Tips20 minutes
Peer Review 3 Self-Check1 minute

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Data Extraction Exercise60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Lesson 310 minutes

What's included

2 videos2 readings2 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 15 minutes

4.1 Analyzing Qualitative Data2 minutesPreview module
4.2 Affinity Walls12 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Affinity Wall Notes From the Previous Lecture10 minutes
Affinity Wall Assignment Handout10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 21 minutes

Affinity Walls20 minutes
Peer Review 4 Self-Check1 minute

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Affinity Wall Report Submission60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Lesson 410 minutes

What's included

2 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

4.6 (82 ratings)

Kentaro Toyama

University of Michigan

2 Courses41,754 learners

Offered by

University of Michigan

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Learner reviews

4.7

528 reviews

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Reviewed on Aug 15, 2020

Found this course very interesting and gained valuable skills which can be applied to multiple subjects of inquiry.

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2019

I really like this lecturer, he gives lots of good examples and analogies for the principles taught in this course. Well done.

Reviewed on May 3, 2021

Really it is a great course from a practical and technical side, It needs a lot of work to complete but it 100% worth it.You will get a very good skill, practicing user research.

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