Assignments | Class project | Software and hardware | Class meetings | Team Work | Grading Standards | Special Arrangements

Assignments

Class project

Our class project this semester is to do a usability test of the Human Subjects Review web site for the Office of Research Services.  Users of this web site are professors and graduate students who must obtain approval for their practices in using human subjects in their research (experiments, surveys, questionnaires, interviews and so forth).  All researchers at TTU must undergo a review by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), consisting of other professors and administrators, to make sure they are following ethical principles and accepted procedures when dealing with human subjects, so that the subjects are treated fairly.  The process requires filling out and submitting forms, as well as understanding the kinds of approvals required and the basics of the IRB process. 

The web site we will be testing is part of a larger web site maintained by the Office of Research Services.  Our contact, Donna Peters, and others in the ORS, will be our sources of information about the process of IRB approval, and other services the office provides.  We will recruit users from departments in the university.

The project is a large one and very complex and challenging.  The question of, "How can the IRB website better serve its clients?" will guide all our activities during the semester.  We will get to learn the process well, and have the chance to interact with interesting people across campus.  Most importantly, we will have the chance to make a real difference in how information is presented to research clients of ORS.

Software and hardware requirements

• Email I anticipate us doing a lot of document sending and communication out of class using email.  So this will be an essential tool for you.  You need to use your Texas Tech  email account, which is what I will use to communicate with you and your classmates. You may have this account directed to other accounts, but I will not send email to those accounts.  This means you have to log into your TTU account and make sure it does not fill up. 
• Usability Lab We will be using the Usability Lab to do our testing and report creation during the semester. We have been given time to use the lab during our class period.  Everyone will need a basic understanding of the lab equipment and how to operate it.  The lab assistant will be available for instruction and help. 
• Microsoft Word  Most class documents will be in Word. 

Class meetings

Our class meets twice a week and I will take role.  Class time will consist of readings quizzes, class discussion, presentations, and team meetings.  Your attendance is important for you to keep up with your group activities. I expect professional behavior on the part of all class members.  I also expect you to be aware of and follow the ethical practices outlined in the Ethics_in_English_for_Students documentss 

Team work

Most of our work this semester will be done in a team consisting of the entire class.  You will be a member of a group of about 4 members that will be assigned special tasks in the overall project. 

Grading standards

• Readings quizzes I will provide quizzes on all our readings.  You can expect some kind of quiz every day. The purpose of the quizzes is to allow me to gauge your grasp of the reading materials. You don't' have to study for the quizzes, and a single reading of all material will be all that you need to do. These will count for 20% of your grade.
• Individual portfolio While we work as a class team, you will need to compile information about your individual work in a portfolio.  You can put your materials on a CD, a web site, or an online storage site.  The portfolio consists of examples of documents (reports, analyses, memos, emails) that you have created, and reflective analyses of your work as a group and team member.  Your portfolio will count for 80% of your grade.  I will do a mid-semester portfolio evaluation to let you know how you are doing.

 Special Arrangements

Let me know about special arrangements. Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact me as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.

---

This page maintained by Thomas Barker