Assignment Guidelines: Choosing and Critically Analyzing a Conference Paper for Interactive Product

Question

In this assignment you will choose a research paper closely related to the interactive product you will design and prototype for the second and final assignment (counting for 75% of the overall mark for this module). The paper must be approved by the module tutor. You will then produce a short report critically analysing the paper (1000 words maximum), based on the CHI conference reviewing form, then lead a group discussion on the paper. The discussion will involve, at minimum, other students on this module and the module leader. The discussion should last at least 5 minutes. You can assume that other members of the discussion will have read your chosen paper. You will give an overview of the paper then identify key issues from which you then raise through discussion, these should be criticisms of the work (motivation, design, methodology, results etc) and key findings which you can utilise in your final assignment, personal insights and reflections. Focus on UX related issues and implications wherever possible. Your chosen paper must be a full paper from a conference related to the course (CHI, Ubicomp, TEI, Interact, OZCHI etc).

You will be expected to read the papers chosen by other students (at least the abstract, introduction and conclusion) in order for you to participate in the discussion in a meaningful way, raising your own issues and responding to those raised by others.

It is expected that you will take your report with you to the discussion, and that the discussion will largely follow the points raised in it.

Marking Criteria

To obtain 50% you must have chosen a full paper on a topic related to your part 2 assignment from an appropriate conference, you must have produced a coherent review which shows you have:

-Understood the chosen paper in terms of the topic, research method, results and findings.

-Made an attempt to critically analyse the paper in your review, focusing on aspects such as the motivation, research design, participants, findings, inferences drawn from findings etc.

You must raise at least one relevant point for discussion linked to the paper’s topic/findings/future work or its more general implications.

To obtain 60%, in addition to the above, you will have raised valid points in your critical analysis and formed personal opinions about the paper that you raise in the discussion. You will also participate in discussion led by other students by contributing your opinions and ideas.

Marking Criteria

To obtain 70%, in addition to the above, you will make it clear how the work will inform your part 2 coursework assignment, you will also raise points (in your critical analysis and in the discussion) showing insight and understanding.  

To obtain 80% and above, you will have made reference to the work of other’s in the points you have raised (e.g. relevant work not cited in the paper, others who corroborated/differed in findings etc). You will also have raised points about the papers others have chosen in the discussions.

Submit all your report on the module page on elearn.

Late work will receive a maximum mark of 50%, late submissions will only be accepted up until the end of the semester.

If you believe that there are circumstances that justify an extension of the hand-in deadline for assignment work, use the Extenuating Circumstances forms (available from the School Office.) Extensions (to a maximum of 10 working days) are granted when there are serious and exceptional factors outside your control. Everyday occurrences such as colds and hay fever do not normally qualify for extensions. Where possible, requests for extensions should be made before the hand-in date.

The School considers extenuating circumstances to be conditions that significantly impact on your work. Typically these will cover more than one module. Requests for consideration of extenuating circumstances in respect of assignment work submission should be made using the extenuating circumstances envelope. You are advised to speak to your Course Leader/pastoral tutors prior to completing these envelopes. Whilst extenuating circumstances are being considered, you are advised to inform relevant staff members, and continue with the assignment.

You must submit your documented extenuating circumstances, in the official extenuating circumstances envelope to the School Office as soon as possible. Extensions of up to10 working days can be granted in order that you can submit the current piece of assessed work. If the circumstances are too serious to be resolved by such an extension, alternative arrangements involving a different piece of work may be made.

The consequences of cheating in assessments are serious - you will fail the module.  Cheating is using or attempting to use unfair means to enhance performance. This includes plagiarism (presenting someone else's work as if it was your own), collusion (working with others on an individual assignment), taking prohibited material into examinations and allowing other students to access your work. Make sure that you do not give someone the opportunity to steal your work (e.g. by asking them to print it out for you). We tell students about cheating both during induction and in your student handbook, but if you have any doubt about what cheating is or how to reference material properly, please ask a tutor. We recommend that you use the Harvard system for referencing.