Fall 2024
I 305 Research Methods for Informatics
DESCRIPTION
In this age of information, we repeatedly hear the phrase “Do your research!”, but what does that mean? And more importantly, why does it matter? This course is broken into two parts designed to provide a foundation to begin answering these questions: 1. The first half of the course is an introduction to research, exploring what research is, what research can look like within the field of Informatics, and how Informatics research can be leveraged for social good. 2. The second half of the course dives deeper into “research methodology,” how research is done and some of the most common tools we use to explore the field’s most burning questions. Students will learn about the functions of qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as how the pieces of the research process fit together to explore challenges and potential solutions by applying human-centered values to the intersections of information, people, and technology. This course is held in-person and rather than exams, assignments are designed to encourage students to apply course concepts to their own interests. Students will leave this course empowered as citizens to critically evaluate research in terms of process, ethics, and equity.
COURSE NOTES
Research involves the systematic study of phenomena in order to discover new knowledge about the world around us. The goal of this course is to introduce many of the truly fascinating and challenging aspects of conducting research involving socio-technical systems---the intersection of people, information, and technology. This course will be presented in two major parts: 1. Introduction to research: What is research and what are the gatekeeping procedures for evaluating each phase of research, from study planning to data collection, analysis, and reporting results. 2. Practical and ethical considerations for Informatics Research: Students will learn about the use of qualitative, quantitative, design, and system design methods by surveying existing research from Cultural Heritage Informatics, Health Informatics, Human-Centered Data Science, Social Informatics, and User Experience Design. This course is held in-person and the assignments are designed to encourage students to apply course concepts to their own interests and to critically evaluate research in terms of process and ethics. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with standard procedures for evaluating research, from the ethical and societal review of study proposals to peer-review and study replication.
RESTRICTIONS
Restricted to undergraduate Informatics majors through registration period 1. Informatics minors may add classes and join waitlists beginning in period 2. Outside students will be permitted to join our waitlists beginning with period 3.