Outline

Overview

This unit of study teaches qualitative research methodologies in a human-centred design context. This unit will prepare students for the common industry context of needing to capture latent user needs and diverse stakeholder perspectives to arrive at effective products and services. Students will be required to use qualitative data to synthesise actionable design insights. In this unit of study students will learn how to generate data though observational and interactive methods. This unit explores how qualitative research methods originating in the humanities can be effectively applied to a human-centred design context whilst retaining their rigour and criticality. At the conclusion of this unit students will be able to apply these advanced qualitative methods in their design practice.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Design Lab
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	DECO1006 or DECO2016
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Lucila De Carvalho, lucila.carvalho@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
In-class quiz	Assignment 1: EFT Task Early Feedback Task - in class quiz	0%	Week 03	15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assignment 2: Ethical Engagement Assignment 2: Ethical Engagement	30%	Week 04 Due date: 24 Aug 2026 at 23:59	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assignment 3a: Research Protocol - Report Assignment 3a: Research Protocol - Report	20%	Week 07 Due date: 14 Sep 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Assignment 3b: Research Protocol - Reflection Reflective journal	10%	Week 07 Due date: 14 Sep 2026 at 23:59	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Assignment 4a: Project Synthesis - Group Presentation Oral Presentation	20%	Week 13	7 minutes	AI limited - refer to Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Assignment 4b: Project Synthesis - Q&A Q&A following presentation	20%	Week 13	5 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assignment 1 - Early Feedback Task: Students will complete a quiz in tutorial class. #earlyfeedbacktask

Assignment 2 - Ethical Engagement: Students will reflect and compose a positionality statement. Students will aslo annotate a bibliography related to a chosen topic area.

Assignment 3a - Research Protocol - Report: Students will submit a research protocol outlining their plans for the data collection in their project. This will include a background, objectives, methodology, and research design.

Assignment 3b - Research Protocol - Reflection: Students will submit an individual reflective journal about lessons learned in the process of coming up with the ideas for their project, and through the shaping of their research plan.

Assignment 4a - Project Synthesis - Group Presentation: Students will present their project, including a synthesis of key research findings.

Assignment 4b - Project Synthesis - Q&A: Students will respond to questions following their group presentation.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% deduction per day

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Welcome to DECO2019!	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	What are Qualitative Methods?	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Ethical Engagement and Positionality	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Research case study: Reflexivity and Research	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Designing a Research Project	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Research Design and Structure	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Experience Sampling Methodology	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Critical Engagement: Experience Sampling Methodology	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Pop Up Engagements	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Critical Engagement: Pop Up Engagements	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Workshops	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Critical Engagement: Workshops	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Guest Lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Project Work	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Thematic Analysis Introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Interpreting and Coding Data	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Thematic Analysis Part 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Final Order Thematic Analysis	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Communicating Qualitative Research	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	What is an insight?	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Guest Lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Visualizing Qualitative Research	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Presenting Research findings	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Strategies for Presentation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Concluding Lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Assignment 4	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled classes in accordance with the School Resolutions. Attendance supports engagement with learning, feedback, critique and collaborative activities. Attendance records will be maintained throughout the semester. Where attendance falls below the expected level, the Unit Coordinator may exercise the discretion available under the School Resolution, including determining whether attendance has affected a student’s ability to demonstrate the unit learning outcomes or requiring additional assessment where appropriate. For absences that coincide with a group assessment task, students must apply for Special Consideration and meet the eligibility criteria for their absence to be approved. If Special Consideration is approved, the student's individual component of the group assessment task will be rescheduled. If Special Consideration is not approved, the student will receive 0 marks for the individual component of the presentation.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand theoretical concepts and ethical principles related to qualitative research
LO2. Practically apply qualitative methods in research in design
LO3. Critically reflect on the influence of positionality when using qualitative methods
LO4. Work collaboratively in teams and effectively interact with other students to determine appropriate uses of qualitative methods
LO5. Synthesize and communicate key research findings to a design audience

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Assignment requirements were changed based on previous USS results

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

DECO2019: Qualitative Research in Design

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links