Welcome to the course!
Welcome to our Introduction to User Research course!
What will this course cover?
This course has been created in collaboration with user researchers in different government departments, who you will learn from in the articles and videos throughout the course. We will cover all the basics of user research and learn about the specifics of how it works in government.
In Week 1, we will learn about users and user needs, as well as the key skills needed for user research and how the researcher fits into the multidisciplinary service team.
In Week 2, we will explore user research in government, introducing you to agile working, the Service Standard and the Design Principles. We will also learn about how important it is to be inclusive and accessible.
In Week 3, we will learn about ethical research and the importance of safeguarding, learn about different research methods and even try some data analysis.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- demonstrate a basic understanding of the key concepts of user research
- explain how user research differs from other forms of research and how it is used in government
- demonstrate a basic understanding of agile methods and how user research works across the phases of the delivery life cycle
- explain the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and ethical practices, as well as ways these may be implemented in user research
- explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods and the basics of data analysis
Get the most out of this course
In this course, you will learn from watching videos, reading articles, and participating in learner tasks.
To get the most out of the course, please read, watch and listen to the material, and share your thoughts, experiences and any questions you may have in the comments. The information you can share with each other based on your own knowledge and experience is just as important.
Let’s get to know our peer learners on the course and find out how much knowledge there is to share. Learning is collaborative – let’s help each other!
Task
We would love to know a bit more about you, so please say hello and introduce yourself in the comments below. You could include things like:
- your job role
- where you are based
- why you chose this course and what you hope to get out of it
- a fun fact about yourself
Reach your personal and professional goals
Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.
Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.
