Spring 2026 - IAT 432 D100

Design Evaluation (4)

Class Number: 6922

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

Course Times + Location:

Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
Surrey

Instructor:
Mehdi Nazemi
mna31@sfu.ca

Prerequisites:
IAT 334 with a minimum grade of C- and completion of 60 units. Recommended: IAT 201 and 235.

Examines evaluation concepts and methods for designers. Introduces a range of evaluation approaches including informal usability studies, lab experiments, field studies, and analytically-based evaluations. Students will explore techniques for feedback including usability tests, observation, interviews, heuristic reviews, and discursive evaluations. Underlying concepts of evaluation including scientific experimentation, ethnography, phenomenology, and aesthetics will be discussed. Students will learn how to design and implement appropriate evaluation studies for a range of design projects.

COURSE DETAILS:

Topics
This course examines evaluation concepts and methods for interaction designers. Evaluation in Interaction Design is challenged by the breadth of issues to be evaluated. For this reason, evaluation spans a range of approaches including interpretive analysis, empirical studies, and scientific analysis. This course will enable students to design appropriate evaluation studies for a range of design situations and user experiences. The course analyzes a range of evaluation approaches including informal evaluation, usability studies, heuristics, controlled experiments, query-based evaluation, observational studies and field studies. Students will explore techniques for generating feedback including observation, interviews, expert reviews, and quantitative and qualitative analysis. Underlying concepts of evaluation including scientific observation, ethnography, and phenomenology will be discussed. Students will learn how to design and implement appropriate evaluation studies for a range of computing environments.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:

Differentiate among evaluation frameworks, including experimental, ethnographic, participatory, and experience-centered approaches.
Analyze design evaluation within varied contexts—single-user, collaborative, mobile, and immersive environments—considering accessibility, inclusivity, and cultural factors.
Apply selected evaluation techniques, such as controlled experiments, contextual inquiry, field studies, remote studies, and analytically based evaluations, to a particular design evaluation problem for single-user and collaborative systems.
Critically synthesize findings from quantitative and qualitative data to communicate insights to different stakeholders.
Plan a design evaluation to address a user research problem, including the selection of an appropriate evaluation technique and a critical assessment of the chosen method.

Grading

Individual Assignments 35%
Group Assignments 40%
Exam 25%

NOTES:

Your total course grade will consist of the following percentage breakdown:

35% Individual Assignments
40% Group Assignments (Client Project)
25% Exam

Students must get at least 50% in each of the above components of the course in order to pass.

In the case of team / group assignments, they must be completed as a group with your respective team members or you will receive 0 marks for them. All individual components must be completed individually or you will receive 0 marks for them.

Your TA and Instructor will have final say over who are your group/team members.

At the discretion of the current instructor, you can earn up to 2% bonus by participating in designated research studies within SIAT or if studies are not available, conduct a paper review (from a pre-selected/approved evaluation paper) as a learning experience to broaden your understanding of research in interactive arts and technology. This includes 1% per study (or paper review) that you participate in.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Technology: You will need a stable internet connection, a web browser that can run Zoom (Google Chrome works well, you do not need the Zoom application), Microsoft Office available to SFU students (Word and Excel), and the Slack application (download Win, Android or Mac).

REQUIRED READING:

“Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design & Conduct Effective Tests” (2008) by Jeffrey Rubin, Dana Chisnell, Jared Spool; 2nd Edition; Wiley.

Note: this is available as an ebook in the library.

ISBN: 9780470185483

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:

SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.

Search for a new outline

Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines