89106 Design Research Methods
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Designers ordinarily generate new social worlds through the devices, methods, objects and environments they create. This subject provides an understanding of a range of socially-oriented research methods appropriate to design practice and its representations of and interventions into social life. Students learn about the history and practice of quasi-ethnographic research, and how to design and conduct simple field research exercises that will assist them in developing creative and intelligent design responses to complex social scenarios. The subject introduces qualitative techniques of observation, interview and participatory research that are further advanced in other areas of the Master of Design degree. The techniques and strategies students learn in this subject reflect the changing context of professional design where socially-oriented research skills are becoming more important. Students are encouraged to become problem seekers, who can use design research methods and tools to respond proactively to society rather than reacting to a client's set brief. In learning these techniques, students adopt the inventive, reflexive disposition of a design researcher.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Construct design research questions that respond to pressing social and ecological concerns. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Plan and conduct ethically sensitive observational, socially engaged and generative design research exercises. |
| 3. | Analyse and communicate design research using a variety of appropriate techniques and media. |
| 4. | Communicate findings and insights from design research that recognise the socially constructive power of design representations. |
| 5. | Provide, receive and respond to constructive design critique. |
| 6. | Demonstrate the value of design research for social and service design practice. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Advocate for the power and responsibility of designing (A.1)
- Discern consequences of designs (ecological, social and justice impacts) (A.3)
- Communicate using a wide range of media and techniques (C.1)
- Design for and with, and enable designing by, diverse stakeholders (I.1)
- Lead constructive and compassionate design critiques (I.3)
- Generate valid insights using qualitative research methods (R.1)
- Formulate novel yet significant design research questions (R.2)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is delivered online. The subject is a workshop, combining seminar-style presentations, class discussions and activities that draw upon real-world design research practice. Each week, you will be expected to complete exercises that demonstrate your understanding of concepts introduced online and in class. You will present your work in class and engage in and receive constructive critique from your peers. We aim to create a safe and supportive learning environment where authentic engagement and effort is rewarded.
Content (topics)
MODULE 0: Pre-research module. An introduction to the ethics of design research.
MODULE 1: Introduction to design research - the history and key concepts of socially-oriented design research.
MODULE 2: Observational research - learning to observe the interactions between people, places, objects and spaces.
MODULE 3: Engaging research participants - in which we explore key issues is engaged social research, types of interviews and practices of interviewing.
MODULE 4: Generative Research - you'll be introduced to methods of research designed to elicit inventive and interpretative responses from research participants.
MODULE 5: Communicating your research?- telling the story of your insights, and linking these to your research evidence.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Research Exercises Portfolio
| Intent: | The intent of this task is to demonstrate engagement with module concepts and capability with module techniques through written and visual documentation of a series of practical design research exercises. Students will compile a collection of written and visual material into a multipage PDF Portfolio. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2 and 3 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1, C.1, R.1 and R.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | The extent to which your submission demonstrates: 1. Ability to construct design research questions that respond to pressing ecological and social concerns. 2. Ability to plan and conduct ethically sensitive observational, socially engaged and generative design research exercises. 3. Ability to analyse and communicate key insights from design research. 4. Ability to edit, arrange and effectively represent design research content. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Design Research Presentation
| Intent: | The intent of this task is to develop the skills in synthesising and communicating design research. Students will develop an 8-minute presentation and submit the presentation slides as a PDF document. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 3, 4, 5 and 6 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1, A.3, C.1, I.1 and I.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Presentation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | The extent to which your submission demonstrates: 1. An ability to analyse and communicate key insights from design research. 2. A nuanced and empathetic understanding of audience. 3. An ability to develop an appropriate and socially intelligent design concept linked to design research. 4. An ability to present a professional, coherent and timely presentation. 5. An ability to edit, arrange and effectively represent design research content. 6. An ability to articulate clear and appropriate actions in response to feedback. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.