The Center of Holistic Integration(CHI)
Research
The Center of Holistic Integration(CHI)
Research
This was the final project for my "Introduction to UXR" course. The project was to assist stakeholder Dr. Smith by conducting research aimed at improving the operations of The Center of Holistic Integration (CHI). As part of the project, I needed to interview the stakeholder, define the research questions, and get Dr. Smith's approval before proceeding with the research.
This was the final project for my "Introduction to UXR" course. The project was to assist stakeholder Dr. Smith by conducting research aimed at improving the operations of The Center of Holistic Integration (CHI). As part of the project, I needed to interview the stakeholder, define the research questions, and get Dr. Smith's approval before proceeding with the research.
Role:
UX Researcher
Duration:
4 weeks
Problem statement：
Problem statement：
The Center of Holistic Integration (CHI) is a newly established program at City Tech that supports collaboration across disciplines and departments. Dr. David B. Smith, who leads the center, is looking for insights to develop the communication strategy for the program, including its website, social media, and other possible distribution platforms.
The Center of Holistic Integration (CHI) is a newly established program at City Tech that supports collaboration across disciplines and departments. Dr. David B. Smith, who leads the center, is looking for insights to develop the communication strategy for the program, including its website, social media, and other possible distribution platforms.
The Center of Holistic Integration (CHI) is a newly established program at City Tech that supports collaboration across disciplines and departments. Dr. David B. Smith, who leads the center, is looking for insights to develop the communication strategy for the program, including its website, social media, and other possible distribution platforms.
Stakeholder and Prof Feedback：
Stakeholder and Prof Feedback：
From Prof. Mike D'Andrea:
"You gave an excellent presentation - confident, easy to follow, and with great voiceover to supplement what you had on your slides. You also engaged the audience well and fielded questions from the class very well, including mine. Very well done!"
Dr. Smith found your research to be “very novel”, and “very actionable”, and said he’d be “extremely likely” to use your insights and recommendations. Furthermore, in his own words, “Although you had a limited number of research questions (1!), it was extremely important, and you were able to pull from this information a lot of material that will be useful.”
From Prof. Mike D'Andrea:
"You gave an excellent presentation - confident, easy to follow, and with great voiceover to supplement what you had on your slides. You also engaged the audience well and fielded questions from the class very well, including mine. Very well done!"
Dr. Smith found your research to be “very novel”, and “very actionable”, and said he’d be “extremely likely” to use your insights and recommendations. Furthermore, in his own words, “Although you had a limited number of research questions (1!), it was extremely important, and you were able to pull from this information a lot of material that will be useful.”
From Prof. Mike D'Andrea:
"You gave an excellent presentation - confident, easy to follow, and with great voiceover to supplement what you had on your slides. You also engaged the audience well and fielded questions from the class very well, including mine. Very well done!"
Dr. Smith found your research to be “very novel”, and “very actionable”, and said he’d be “extremely likely” to use your insights and recommendations. Furthermore, in his own words, “Although you had a limited number of research questions (1!), it was extremely important, and you were able to pull from this information a lot of material that will be useful.”
Study Details:
Study Details:
Research questions
How would students be motivated or interested in CHI?
Hypotheses: CHI activities are attractive to students desiring to gain experience working on interdisciplinary teams.
Methodology
Interview and Literature Review
Participants
7 interviewers from Different Major At Citytech College
1 from Construction Engineering Technology
1 from Architecture
2 from COMD
1 from computer engineering
1 from accounting
1 from professional writing
Methodology
Participants
How would students be motivated or interested in CHI?
Hypotheses
CHI activities are attractive to students desiring to gain experience working on interdisciplinary teams.
Research questions
How would students be motivated or interested in CHI?
Hypotheses
CHI activities are attractive to students desiring to gain experience working on interdisciplinary teams.
Methodology
Interview and Literature Review
Participants
7 interviewers from Different Major At Citytech College
1 from Construction Engineering Technology
1 from Architecture
2 from COMD
1 from computer engineering
1 from accounting
1 from professional writing
Interview
Literature Review
7 interviewers from Different Major At Citytech College
1 from Construction Engineering Technology
1 from Architecture
2 from COMD
1 from computer engineering
1 from accounting
1 from professional writing
Executive Summary:
Key Insight
Key Recommendation
Concepts need to be clearer and easy understand for students
Simplify the Concepts, make the events match the concept more
Students joining the project for free :
learn sth from it; to network; to put something into the resume.
Chi Need to think about what can Chi bring things to students
Chi needs to be searchable and known by students
Have a direct link on city tech official website, join club times, share info to student email
For doing research, Students hope to follow prof to do the research and also want to find mentors when they have research ideas.
Need for Structured Guidance in CHI
Executive Summary:
Key Insight
Concepts need to be clearer and easy understand for students
Students joining the project for free :
learn sth from it; to network; to put something into the resume.Chi needs to be searchable and known by students
For doing research, Students hope to follow prof to do the research and also want to find mentors when they have research ideas.
Key Recommendation
Simplify the concepts; make the events match the concept more
Chi needs to think about what can Chi bring things to students
Have a direct link on city tech official website, join club times, share info to student email
Need for Structured Guidance in CHI
Executive Summary:
Key Insight
Concepts need to be clearer and easy understand for students
Students joining the project for free :
learn sth from it; to network; to put something into the resume.Chi needs to be searchable and known by students
For doing research, Students hope to follow prof to do the research and also want to find mentors when they have research ideas.
Key Recommendation
Simplify the concepts; make the events match the concept more
Chi needs to think about what can Chi bring things to students
Have a direct link on city tech official website, join club times, share info to student email
Need for Structured Guidance in CHI
Potential Biases
Selection Bias:
Selection Bias:
Potential Biases
Response Bias:
Selection Bias:
Response Bias:
Impact: Hasty or Incomplete Responses: Since the interview occurs at the end of the academic term, students might be preoccupied with final exams, projects, or other time-sensitive obligations. As a result, they may not take the time to thoroughly reflect on or answer the questions thoughtfully, leading to rushed or superficial responses.
Impact:
Hasty or Incomplete Responses: Since the interview occurs at the end of the academic term, students might be preoccupied with final exams, projects, or other time-sensitive obligations. As a result, they may not take the time to thoroughly reflect on or answer the questions thoughtfully, leading to rushed or superficial responses.
Impact:
Overrepresentation of enthusiastic students may skew the data towards more positive attitudes about campus involvement, while disengaged students may be underrepresented.
Impact:: Overrepresentation of enthusiastic students may skew the data towards more positive attitudes about campus involvement, while disengaged students may be underrepresented.
Impact:
Overrepresentation of enthusiastic students may skew the data towards more positive attitudes about campus involvement, while disengaged students may be underrepresented.
Response Bias:
Impact:
Hasty or Incomplete Responses: Since the interview occurs at the end of the academic term, students might be preoccupied with final exams, projects, or other time-sensitive obligations. As a result, they may not take the time to thoroughly reflect on or answer the questions thoughtfully, leading to rushed or superficial responses.
Stakeholder Interviews & Problem Finding:
Stakeholder Interviews & Problem Finding:
Key Challenges:
Key Challenges:
Key Challenges:
Dr. Smith’s vision for CHI was broad, and I needed to condense it into a clear research question.
His proposal for CHI included a concept called Meta-Integration, Is this concept well understood by students?
Dr. Smith wanted students to volunteer and learn from CHI, but it was unclear how to align his expectations with student interests.
The initial project, part of the CUNY Anti-Hate Initiative, does it align with CHI’s interdisciplinary goals.
Dr. Smith’s vision for CHI was broad, and I needed to condense it into a clear research question.
His proposal for CHI included a concept called Meta-Integration, Is this concept well understood by students?
Dr. Smith wanted students to volunteer and learn from CHI, but it was unclear how to align his expectations with student interests.
The initial project, part of the CUNY Anti-Hate Initiative, does it align with CHI’s interdisciplinary goals.
Dr. Smith’s vision for CHI was broad, and I needed to condense it into a clear research question.
His proposal for CHI included a concept called Meta-Integration, Is this concept well understood by students?
Dr. Smith wanted students to volunteer and learn from CHI, but it was unclear how to align his expectations with student interests.
The initial project, part of the CUNY Anti-Hate Initiative, does it align with CHI’s interdisciplinary goals.
Effective Communication with Dr. Smith:
Effective Communication with Dr. Smith:
Effective Communication with Dr. Smith:
Effective Communication
with Dr. Smith:
To address these challenges, I used email to ask targeted questions:
How did you decide to create CHI?
How do you explain CHI to others in one sentence?
What is the connection between CHI and the Anti-Hate initiative?
To address these challenges, I used email to ask targeted questions:
How did you decide to create CHI?
How do you explain CHI to others in one sentence?
What is the connection between CHI and the Anti-Hate initiative?
To address these challenges, I used email to ask targeted questions:
How did you decide to create CHI?
How do you explain CHI to others in one sentence?
What is the connection between CHI and the Anti-Hate initiative?
After conducting the literature review to align with the research question,
my interview overview focuses on three key areas.
After conducting the literature review to align with the research question,
my interview overview focuses on three key areas.
After conducting the literature review to align with the research question,
my interview overview focuses on three key areas.
Understand
Know
Join
Does the student understand the concept of chi?
Does the student understand the concept of chi?
Does the student know what chi is used for, and do they believe it is helpful to them?
Does the student know how to engage with chi, and are they interested in doing so?
Does the student understand the concept of chi?
Does the student know what chi is used for, and do they believe it is helpful to them?
Does the student know how to engage with chi, and are they interested in doing so?
Does the student know what chi is used for, and do they believe it is helpful to them?
Does the student know how to engage with chi, and are they interested in doing so?
Detailed findings:
1A. Simplify and make the Concepts clear for students
1A. Simplify and make the Concepts clear for students
Detailed findings:
1A. Simplify and make the Concepts clear for students
The concept of "Meta-Integration" was not well understood by students.
4 out of 7 students were unclear on its meaning.
Students understood "integration" and interdisciplinary projects but found the term "meta" confusing, associating it with technology (due to Facebook's rebranding as Meta).
The writing major student used 5 minutes to read the proposal and say she could understand the meaning of meta-integration.
STUDENT QUOTE:
“I do think more of a tech base kind of thing because Facebook changed their name to meta so I never really, I'm gonna think of something else.”
“It sounds like the meta integration, but it's mostly just integration in general.”
“I do think more of a tech base kind of thing because Facebook changed their name to meta so I never really, I'm gonna think of something else.”
“It sounds like the meta integration, but it's mostly just integration in general.”
The concept of "Meta-Integration" was not well understood by students.
4 out of 7 students were unclear on its meaning.
Students understood "integration" and interdisciplinary projects but found the term "meta" confusing, associating it with technology (due to Facebook's rebranding as Meta).
The writing major student used 5 minutes to read the proposal and say she could understand the meaning of meta-integration.
“I do think more of a tech base kind of thing because Facebook changed their name to meta so I never really, I'm gonna think of something else.”
“It sounds like the meta integration, but it's mostly just integration in general.”
“I do think more of a tech base kind of thing because Facebook changed their name to meta so I never really, I'm gonna think of something else.”
“It sounds like the meta integration, but it's mostly just integration in general.”
1B. The event should match the concept more
Out of the students interviewed, 4 believe that the Anti-Hate project is an integrated initiative, while 3 feel that it is not.
One student who attended the Anti-Hate events perceived them to be more focused on Asian culture rather than being a fully integrated project, though they appreciated the opportunity for others to experience different cultures.
Additionally, fewer students attended the events, and 2 students mentioned attending for extra credit.
"I don't feel like it was like an integrated thing. But I do feel like it's a good thing for other people to see different cultures sometimes."
2. CHI Needs to Consider What It Can Offer Students
The concept of "Meta-Integration" was not well understood by students.
4 out of 7 students were unclear on its meaning.
Students understood "integration" and interdisciplinary projects but found the term "meta" confusing, associating it with technology (due to Facebook's rebranding as Meta).
The writing major student used 5 minutes to read the proposal and say she could understand the meaning of meta-integration.
“I do think more of a tech base kind of thing because Facebook changed their name to meta so I never really, I'm gonna think of something else.”
“It sounds like the meta integration, but it's mostly just integration in general.”
“I do think more of a tech base kind of thing because Facebook changed their name to meta so I never really, I'm gonna think of something else.”
“It sounds like the meta integration, but it's mostly just integration in general.”
1B. The event should match the concept more
Out of the students interviewed, 4 believe that the Anti-Hate project is an integrated initiative, while 3 feel that it is not.
One student who attended the Anti-Hate events perceived them to be more focused on Asian culture rather than being a fully integrated project, though they appreciated the opportunity for others to experience different cultures.
Additionally, fewer students attended the events, and 2 students mentioned attending for extra credit.
"I don't feel like it was like an integrated thing. But I do feel like it's a good thing for other people to see different cultures sometimes."
2. CHI Needs to Consider What It Can Offer Students
The concept of "Meta-Integration" was not well understood by students.
4 out of 7 students were unclear on its meaning.
Students understood "integration" and interdisciplinary projects but found the term "meta" confusing, associating it with technology (due to Facebook's rebranding as Meta).
The writing major student used 5 minutes to read the proposal and say she could understand the meaning of meta-integration.
“I do think more of a tech base kind of thing because Facebook changed their name to meta so I never really, I'm gonna think of something else.”
“It sounds like the meta integration, but it's mostly just integration in general.”
“I do think more of a tech base kind of thing because Facebook changed their name to meta so I never really, I'm gonna think of something else.”
“It sounds like the meta integration, but it's mostly just integration in general.”
1B. The event should match the concept more
Out of the students interviewed, 4 believe that the Anti-Hate project is an integrated initiative, while 3 feel that it is not.
One student who attended the Anti-Hate events perceived them to be more focused on Asian culture rather than being a fully integrated project, though they appreciated the opportunity for others to experience different cultures.
Additionally, fewer students attended the events, and 2 students mentioned attending for extra credit.
"I don't feel like it was like an integrated thing. But I do feel like it's a good thing for other people to see different cultures sometimes."
Some schools have also joined a group called CIRTL(Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning), which focuses on teaching and learning in higher education.
Students join events or research initiatives without pay because they are looking to learn, network, and advance their careers. Some of their feedback included:
“I definitely hope it can help my career. When I start working, I’ll have seen this before.”
“I also get the chance to meet people in the industry.”
“It will help me figure out how to approach things in the future. It’s a learning experience for me.”
“It helps me network. Networking is one of the main things that helps students get jobs. Finding people from the professional field who know you before they know your work is helpful.”
“I hope to work on something real.”
“Having related classes would be helpful.”
Recommendations:
Enhance Networking Opportunities:
Organize more networking events and industry meetups.
Facilitate Connections:
Create structured programs and partnerships with industry leaders to connect students and professionals.
Emphasize Career Development:
Highlight the importance of these events for career growth and networking.
Improving CHI’s Visibility
Students typically learned about school events through email, flyers, and the City Tech website. However, CHI lacked a clear online presence.
“I think that that's the there is not much communication around the campus. Oh, so I feel like we have to have like, through emails through posters.”
“I just use some of the resources the school gives you. But I'm a senior, so it's really hard to find something. So I'm on the handshake. Indeed. You know, LinkedIn, you know it. I'm using everything that I can, but it's really hard to find something as a senior.”
Recommendations:
CHI should have a dedicated page on the City Tech website with clear, organized information about the center and its initiatives.
CHI should make better use of social media and email to effectively promote events and engage with students.
2. CHI Needs to Consider What It Can Offer Students
4. Structured Guidance for Research Opportunities
Students expressed a need for more structured guidance in getting involved with CHI, particularly for research projects.
Freshmen and sophomores preferred guidance from professors, while upperclassmen preferred more independence.
"In the beginning, I followed prof to do the research rather than have a self purpose.”
“It’s more like What kind of topic I am going to be interested in,I am nterested in human psychology and behaviors. ”
“Maybe a portal will be helpful”
“I would love to have like different design departments or art departments coming together and have like, creative expression thing where you can just to create art-related stuff”
Recommendations
Create an online portal on the CHI website, linked from the City Tech site, where students can explore research opportunities, submit ideas, and get feedback from professors. This would provide structured guidance for easier student involvement.
Collaborating with the Cuny Undergraduate Research Program to list research concentrations by professors would help students find topics of interest.
Students expressed a need for more structured guidance in getting involved with CHI, particularly for research projects.
Freshmen and sophomores preferred guidance from professors, while upperclassmen preferred more independence.
"In the beginning, I followed prof to do the research rather than have a self purpose.”
“It’s more like What kind of topic I am going to be interested in,I am nterested in human psychology and behaviors. ”
“Maybe a portal will be helpful”
“I would love to have like different design departments or art departments coming together and have like, creative expression thing where you can just to create art-related stuff”
Recommendations:
Create an online portal on the CHI website, linked from the City Tech site, where students can explore research opportunities, submit ideas, and get feedback from professors. This would provide structured guidance for easier student involvement.
Collaborating with the Cuny Undergraduate Research Program to list research concentrations by professors would help students find topics of interest.
Some schools have also joined a group called CIRTL(Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning), which focuses on teaching and learning in higher education.
Students join events or research initiatives without pay because they are looking to learn, network, and advance their careers. Some of their feedback included:
“I definitely hope it can help my career. When I start working, I’ll have seen this before.”
“I also get the chance to meet people in the industry.”
“It will help me figure out how to approach things in the future. It’s a learning experience for me.”
“It helps me network. Networking is one of the main things that helps students get jobs. Finding people from the professional field who know you before they know your work is helpful.”
“I hope to work on something real.”
“Having related classes would be helpful.”
Recommendations:
Enhance Networking Opportunities:
Organize more networking events and industry meetups.
Facilitate Connections:
Create structured programs and partnerships with industry leaders to connect students and professionals.
Emphasize Career Development:
Highlight the importance of these events for career growth and networking.
Improving CHI’s Visibility
Students typically learned about school events through email, flyers, and the City Tech website. However, CHI lacked a clear online presence.
CHI should have a dedicated page on the City Tech website with clear, organized information about the center and its initiatives.
CHI should make better use of social media and email to effectively promote events and engage with students.
“I think that that's the there is not much communication around the campus. Oh, so I feel like we have to have like, through emails through posters.”
“I just use some of the resources the school gives you. But I'm a senior, so it's really hard to find something. So I'm on the handshake. Indeed. You know, LinkedIn, you know it. I'm using everything that I can, but it's really hard to find something as a senior.”
Recommendations:
Some schools have also joined a group called CIRTL(Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning), which focuses on teaching and learning in higher education.
Students join events or research initiatives without pay because they are looking to learn, network, and advance their careers. Some of their feedback included:
Recommendations:
Enhance Networking Opportunities:
Organize more networking events and industry meetups.
Facilitate Connections:
Create structured programs and partnerships with industry leaders to connect students and professionals.
Emphasize Career Development:
Highlight the importance of these events for career growth and networking.
Improving CHI’s Visibility
Students typically learned about school events through email, flyers, and the City Tech website. However, CHI lacked a clear online presence.
CHI should have a dedicated page on the City Tech website with clear, organized information about the center and its initiatives.
CHI should make better use of social media and email to effectively promote events and engage with students.
“I think that that's the there is not much communication around the campus. Oh, so I feel like we have to have like, through emails through posters.”
“I just use some of the resources the school gives you. But I'm a senior, so it's really hard to find something. So I'm on the handshake. Indeed. You know, LinkedIn, you know it. I'm using everything that I can, but it's really hard to find something as a senior.”
Recommendations:
“I definitely hope it can help my career. When I start working, I’ll have seen this before.”
“I also get the chance to meet people in the industry.”
“It will help me figure out how to approach things in the future. It’s a learning experience for me.”
“It helps me network. Networking is one of the main things that helps students get jobs. Finding people from the professional field who know you before they know your work is helpful.”
“I hope to work on something real.”
“Having related classes would be helpful.”
Students expressed a need for more structured guidance in getting involved with CHI, particularly for research projects.
Freshmen and sophomores preferred guidance from professors, while upperclassmen preferred more independence.
"In the beginning, I followed prof to do the research rather than have a self purpose.”
“It’s more like What kind of topic I am going to be interested in,I am nterested in human psychology and behaviors. ”
“Maybe a portal will be helpful”
“I would love to have like different design departments or art departments coming together and have like, creative expression thing where you can just to create art-related stuff”
Recommendations
Create an online portal on the CHI website, linked from the City Tech site, where students can explore research opportunities, submit ideas, and get feedback from professors. This would provide structured guidance for easier student involvement.
Collaborating with the Cuny Undergraduate Research Program to list research concentrations by professors would help students find topics of interest.
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© 2024 Xueying(Danica) Design
Hire me.
© 2024 Xueying(Danica) Design
Hire me.
Hire me.
© 2024 Xueying(Danica) Design