GUIDE FOR PROJECT 2

Fall 2016/17

INTRODUCTION
Design research is a young field, with a wide range of interests, covering many disciplines of design as
well as their crossroads with other fields. Part of design research is oriented towards the design
profession and the design industry with the aim of collecting data and generating useful information
for designers. Another part of design research, which is more important for this course, focuses on
scholarly research in order to generate new ideas, scientific information, reliable data, or valuable
insight that will enrich the field of design. There is a vast amount of research opportunities in design,
but the tools, terminology, methodology, publication media, and academic expertise is still at a stage
of infancy compared to well-developed fields like natural sciences, engineering, or medicine.
This project aims to look into such opportunities, especially with regard to research methods and
develop new tools for design research that is suitable for at least a specific field in design. Another
option for the project is to determine a field of design research where no one has gone before.
STEPS FOR YOUR PROJECT
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Determine your field of research

Determine a title for your work
Literature survey of methodology in this field
Scan parallel or different fields for alternative methods/fields of research
Scan new technologies which may be useful for your research
Use some creativity tools to come up with new concepts for methodology/fields of research
Suggest a new method/field of research. Describe how it is supposed to be used/what benefits are
expected in detail. Describe the potential advantages
8. Make a pilot study if possible
OR
8. Make interviews with academicians in your field to discuss the potential of your new method/new
field of research
9. Results and conclusions
10. References

REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR PAPER (Due date: December 26, 2016)

Title, author, affiliation

Abstract
Keywords
Introduction
Literature survey
Methodology used for this work
Suggested new methodology for design research
Results and discussion
Conclusions and implications for future research
References

Title: Should be representative of your work, not too long, but should include the main idea behind
this work
Keywords: (5-6 words) You can write these under your title.
Abstract: This is a short summary of the objective of your study, a sentence or two about methods
and tools used, and the main results of your study.
Introduction: Your research topic in general, the research question-aim (what are you trying to find
or answer with this research), justification of your research
Literature survey on methodology (or virgin field of research): This part should include relevant
information from at least 5 important references (books, review articles, journal articles). The focus
should be methodology in design research that is directly or indirectly related to your field of research
(or what has been done so far that resembles/touches the virgin field of research).
Methodology for this work: This part should explain the research methods used for your study. Give
relevant information about the methods used to reach the project outcomes.
Suggested new methods/virgin field for design research: This part should be the focus of your
paper. Explain the new method in detail, how it differs from similar approaches, what is needed for
this method, how and when it should be applied and which fields of design it is more appropriate for
(or explain the virgin field of research and relevant details).
Results and Discussion: What are the outcomes of your research about methodology/virgin field of
research and what are the outcomes of the pilot study/interviews? Discuss in detail.
Conclusions and Implications for Future Research: This part should be a summary of your results (in
a paragraph or as a list of significant results). Also comment on your recommendations for future
studies using the new methods (or digging the earth of uncommon territories).
References: references used throughout your work, listed according to the style you have chosen
(APA, Chicago, or any other style chosen)

Grading Criteria for the Paper

I will grade the paper as a whole. 3 factors will be considered in grading your paper:
1.
Content (70 pts) - How much does the paper satisfy the common requirements of this
project? Quality, originality, and quantity of content.
2.
Format (10 pts) Make sure that your paper obeys a chosen format such as APA, Chicago, or
a given format (indicate which style you have used). Cite your references in the manuscript.
3.

English (20 pts) Correct use of English, avoidance of spelling and grammatical errors

Percentage of format and English may be reduced if content is weak.

Make sure to paraphrase when using information from the literature.

Oral Presentations (December 26, 2016)

Your presentation should take about 15-20 minutes. Use PowerPoint (or similar software) for your
presentation.
Presentation Grading Criteria
1) Is the speaker well prepared (on time, presentation material already tested, speaker ready for the
presentation)? 25%
2) Is the presentation well organized? (Flow and content of presentation, well prepared slides if these
are used for presentation, timing) 25%
3) Is the speaker well informed about the subject? 25%
4) Is it a good presentation? (Suitable tone, use body language, dont read, eye contact with all
audience, dont show signs of stress, continuity) 25%