1.Name of the Course | : | Communication Design in B.A. (Honours) Degree Programmes | ||
2. Module Code | : | 37C RPR | ||
3. Module Title | : | Research Project | ||
4. Aim of the Module: To identify a problem area in communication and propose a solution or direction for the same, supported with research. | ||||
5. Contact Hours | : | 80 hours | ||
6. Recommended Independent Study Load | : | 220 hours | ||
7. Module Content: · Identify a chosen area for research · Collect information by applying research methods and tools, · Critically analyse the results, and compile them into a report · Conceptualize and propose innovative solutions/ directions for further work | ||||
8. Indicative Reading: · Yin Robert K., 2002, Case Study Research : Design and Methods (Applied Social Research Methods), SAGE Publications
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9. Learning & Teaching Methods: Lectures, presentations, portfolio, project | ||||
10. Learning Outcomes : On completion of this module the students will be able to: · Identify an area of interest · Demonstrate an ability to initiate research and self-study in the chosen area · Demonstrate a synthesis of overall diagnostic, analytical, and creative abilities in research | ||||
11. Module Assessment | : | Report 100% | ||
12. Credits | : | 30 | ||
Module guide
Level 3 (2010-09)
BA Hons. Communication Design
Research Project
Faculty: Sumita Sarkar, Ramneek Majithia, Kalpana Subramanyam, and Shilpi Burman,
Number of Credits: 30
Core module
Module Assessment: Report (Weight 100%)
Introduction to the module
This module is about learning to do research and then from the research conclusion arriving at a brief for a degree project in which you will apply what you have learned through your research done in this module.
What is design?
Research in design does not have a clear cut methodology as experienced in science, sociology, psychology, medicine, etc. This does not decrease the importance of research to build our own discipline. The word ‘design’ itself is difficult to categorize. (Lunenfeld, Design Research and methods, p 10). Charles Eames defined design as a problem solving activity - ‘A plan for arranging elements in such a way as to best accomplish a particular purpose.’ (Eames, 1972, DR&M, p 10). Quite often design is taken to be problem solving within the context of a market. The Design Council website states ‘Design is where creativity meets innovation, where original insights are converted to ideas, and then translated into useful products or services.’ Serges Gagnon describes design as a ‘cultural appropriation of technology’ which leads to research which is about influence of technology on culture. Design research is essential because it is this that brings together theory and practice and makes design work as a result stronger, provide more value, and interpret the ever changing culture around us.
What is design research?
Designers are often seen as mere stylists who make objects more palatable. Many people have tried to define design research and identify methodologies peculiar to it. This is by no means resolved yet. So, as students of design research you will need to understand that this is a vast field where people are searching to define design research. Sir Christopher Frayling, 1993, has identified three distinct modes of design research:
a. Research into design: This includes understanding history, aesthetics, etc. of design. This often overlaps and resembles art. E.g delving into issues of traditional folk art, etc.
b. Research through design: This is project based, includes finding solutions at a result of the research, to fulfill existing or already defined needs or aspirations. This kind of research would include audience analysis, gap analysis, insighting, media analysis, etc. for branding, campaign development in order to inform, persuade, promote, change attitude, etc.
c. Research for design: The purpose of this research is to create new needs, new objects and services as a result of the research and then prove its value. In this category, recently digital technologies have led the discussion to be shifted from products to services to collaborations across groups of people and sub-cultures creating an understanding for new needs, etc.
e. Design as research: Action research has added design media as tools for collecting data. This has lead to visual methods of doing research itself. Visual research data is then analysed to arrive at conclusion about changing cultural, technological, etc. norms.
Based on the aims of your design research you will choose appropriate methods to collect data. In brief, design research can be about people, form, process or action. The research methods can be experimental, qualitative, quantitative, speculative, and experiential, practice-based, action-oriented, discovery-led, poetic, formal, structural or process driven. The context of the research can be commercial, market-led, academic or exploratory. The subjects of the research can be designers themselves, designed objects, users, audiences, customers, or organizations. The domains of the research can be products or services, theory, practice, entertainment, information, branding, etc.
Finally design is not only about markets and business. It is about working for the greater good of society finding ways to understand culture and society, improve our world and environment, the way people live, govern, and learn and much more. So, the ultimate aim of design research is to find ways to do this- to make the world a better and smarter place.( DR&P, p14)
Like John Seely Brown, Chief Scientist of PARC, Xerox, said ‘Its got to be theory, practice and purpose.’ (DR&P, p14).
The Aim
To identify a problem area in communication and propose a solution or direction for the same, supported with research.
The Content
· Identify a chosen area for research
· Collect information by applying research methods and tools
· Critically analyse the results, and compile them into a report
· Conceptualize and propose innovative solutions/ directions for further work
· Create a design brief for your degree project
Where do you begin?
The different stages of your research project will be:
1. Planning and preparing for research by writing the proposal
2. Contextual study through literature, observation and appropriate sources
3. Defining the research objectives and questions in relation to the context
4. Giving a rationale for the methods and tools adopted
5. Generating and gathering data
6. Evaluating, analyzing and interpreting the outcomes
7. Documenting the research findings and conclusions
8. Developing a design brief for your degree project applying your research findings
1. Planning and preparing for research
Writing the proposal
You need to start with a proposal for your research.
To begin with identify your areas of interest, where your passions lie. Convert this into your main research question. Describe the following:
What is the theme or topic area that you are hoping to investigate in your research project?
Ask yourself What? Why? How?and So what?
Structure of the proposal
a. Do a little contextual study of the area and then describe the area briefly but accurately.
b. Why is this area important to you?
c. What is the purpose of your research? Why is it useful?
d. What are the key resources you will use for your contextual study in terms of books, exhibitions, literature, visual material, etc.
e. What is the overview question your research is going to answer? What are the smaller questions? (Not more than 4).
f. For each research question identify the method by which you will collect data. Give details of data, questions, etc. E.g If you are going to interview students – how many would you interview? What are your questions?
g. What are the tools for analysis?
h. Create a project schedule
Process of doing research
1. Contextual study through literature, observation and appropriate sources
2. Define the research objectives and questions in relation to the context. You may want to write a hypothesis against each question.
3. Give a rationale for the methods and tools adopted
4. Generate and gather the data
5. Evaluate, analyze using appropriate tools and interpret the outcomes, highlight the conclusions
6. Identify future areas of research
7. Document the research findings and conclusions
8. Developing a design brief for your degree project applying your research findings
9. Write your reflective note
Vocabulary:
Research methods, experimental, qualitative, quantitative, speculative, and experiential, practice-based, action-oriented, discovery-led, poetic, formal, structural or process driven, research context, market-led, academic, exploratory, data collection, analysis.
Essential Reading:
· Gray, Carole and Malines, Julian, 1988, Visualizing Research: A Guide to the Research Process in Art and Design, Ashgate, UK
· Kumar, Ranjit, 1996, Research Methodology, A step-by-step guide for beginners, Sage Publications, London, Thousand Oaks, New
Delhi.
· Creswell John W., 2002, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, second edition, SAGE Publications
Indicative Reading:
· Yin Robert K., 2002, Case Study Research : Design and Methods (Applied Social Research Methods), third edition, SAGE Publications
· Salant Priscilla and Dillman Don A., 1994, How to Conduct Your Own Survey, Wiley
· Noble, Ian and Bestley, Russell, 2005, Visual Research, an introduction to research methodologies in Graphic Design, AVA publications, UK
· Sanoff, Henry, 1991, Visual Research Methods in Design, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York
Websites:
http://visualizingresearch.info/
Module Plan
Sept 22- 29: Presentation of 3 probably topics for research
October 1: Proposal v1 submission
October 2 to 18: CWG break
October 18-21 : Research workshop
October 26: Discussion with mentors
Nov 1: Submission of final proposals
Nov 8: Contextual study and collection of data
Nov 15: Analysis of data
Nov 18-22: Presentation of conclusions and
Nov 25: Submission of project, reflective note
Nov 29: Jury
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:
· Identify an area of interest
· Demonstrate an ability to initiate research and self-study in the chosen area
· Demonstrate a synthesis of overall diagnostic, analytical, and creative abilities in research
How the work will be assessed
Assessment: Report (Weight 100%)
The report will be assessed as a whole. The different parts of it are described below:
Your Blog: This is will be individually maintained and named as follows: Madhvi’s Research project. All logs will be accessed from one master blog in which all the mentors will be administrators and all students ‘followers’. The blog will be updated daily. In this you will record discussions with your mentors, peers, experts, etc., your learning from reading, observation, etc. You must add videos, visuals where you can. Give links to materials read or seen. Do add what is important to you and your conclusions in your own words. Add references when you take from others. Start your blog with the module guide and module specifications, your initial 3 topics for research, evolution to the final topic, proposal v1, 2, 3, etc. till your final proposal on the days each happened. Report on your learning from each of the workshop days.
Research journal including research log table duly filled in: Your research journal will be a plastic folder. Add transparent pockets. This will start with a copy of the module specifications and module guide, followed with your tabular research log (The format is given in this module guide). It should sequentially contain photocopies of material read, highlighted, conclusions scribbled in your writing, references and dates. Add any visuals or any other relevant material.
Research document- printed and electronic with annexure and appendix which include the presentations.
Format of research report
· Aim of the Project,
· Acknowledgement,
· Table of Contents,
· Introduction,
· Contextual Study,
· Research Objectives, Hypothesis, Research Methodology,
· Sampling Design,
· Findings and Analysis,
· Conclusions,
· Annexure,
· Appendices
The points to watch out for:
· The research topic must be current, relevant, and useful and of interest to you
· Use a logical, coherent structure which presents your data and conclusions in a clear way. Always emphasize on clarity, focused, concise study.
· Your work must show evidence of extensive reading (breadth and depth) using a range of appropriate contextual materials and up-to-date sources including books, journals, reports the Internet
· Do not forget to use correct formats of referencing and citations.
· The cover reflects the content, is appropriately designed and uses appropriate materials in sync with content of your research. E.g. Research about sustainability should reflect the philosophy in the materials used for the document.
· The look and feel reflects the subject and the document is attractive.
· No spelling or grammar errors
· No plagiarism
· Harvard referencing is used.
· Pages are numbered.
Parameters of assessment:
· Statement of Problem
· Critical Evaluation of Literature
· Methodology
· Analysis and Results
· Summary, Recommendations, and Conclusion
· Presentation and professionalism
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