DYN906 Design Research and Methods
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | DYN906 |
|---|---|
| Assumed Knowledge: | DYN900 except students admitted into the 1 year program of DE99. |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,216 |
| International unit fee | $4,452 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | DYN906 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | DYN900 except students admitted into the 1 year program of DE99. |
| Coordinator: | Markus Rittenbruch | m.rittenbruch@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit provides a comprehensive exploration of research methodologies critical for strategic design practices. It provides an overview of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups, along with the ethical considerations of human research. Through hands-on experiences, students will be introduced to participatory design research and learn how to facilitate design workshops as data collection methods. Additionally, the unit delves into the ontological, epistemological, and methodological foundations underpinning design research and offers guidance on academic writing for design research journals. Understanding these methodologies is fundamental to becoming a proficient design practitioner, bridging theory and practice in the field.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Identify, retrieve, organise, critically review, and succinctly summarise relevant scholarly literature on a specific design research topic.
- Strategically select from and apply qualitative and quantitative research methods best suitable to investigate different design-related topics.
- Understand the ethical implications of research, enabling you to conduct responsible research in professional practice.
- Demonstrate academic writing skills that connect and analyse diverse research concepts, theories, and findings, effectively synthesise and communicate a research argument, and contribute to academic discourse.
- Engage in rigorous peer review processes, providing documented, critical judgments of research work, which prepares you for collaborative, interdisciplinary research projects in diverse settings.
Content
This unit provides a structured exploration of essential research methodologies underpinning effective design practice with a strategic intent. It equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to lead design research studies, understand their theoretical foundations, and critically analyse and apply research findings to inform design strategies. The unit covers a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, ethical considerations, and the intricacies of scholarly writing for design research journals. Through practical activities, students will gain first-hand experience in employing these methodologies in the field of design.
The unit teaches diverse perspectives and inclusion by fostering a dynamic and pluriversal concept of culture, ensuring students are conscious of their biases and assumptions that might impact their design research practice. Through the exploration of different research epistemologies and methodologies, students are encouraged to consider diverse perspectives and engage in participatory design research that respects different cultural contexts including Indigenous contexts. The ethical considerations in design research underscore the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. Practical activities and case studies are selected to reflect a range of cultural contexts, ensuring that students appreciate the richness and diversity of perspectives in design research. This unit aims to cultivate strategic designers who are not only skilled in design research methodology but also culturally aware and socially responsible.
Within this context, the broad areas to be covered will include the following:
- Introduction to Design Research Methods
- Research Methodologies
- Participatory Design Research
- Design Workshops as Data Collection
- Ethics in Design Research
- Ontological, Epistemological, and Methodological Foundations
- Academic Writing for Design Research Journals
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following interactive and collaborative learning approaches designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge in the field of design research: (i) Lectures will invite you to engage with instructive oral presentations that introduce and delve into the core themes and concepts of design research. Lectures facilitate your understanding of research methodologies, ethical considerations, and academic writing for design research journals. These lectures are not limited to in-person sessions; they are also recorded for later download or online viewing, allowing you to revisit and reinforce your learning. (ii) Tutorials enable you to consolidate the insights and information presented in lectures and core learning materials. Guided by experienced teaching staff, these sessions will actively involve you in activities such as analysis, problem-solving, debate, and discussion. Tutorials provide the opportunity for in-depth exploration of topics and allow you to engage with peers, enhancing your understanding of design research methodologies, advanced document retrieval skills, and human research ethics frameworks.
Key Expectations:
To gain maximum benefit from lectures and tutorials, it is essential to be proactive in your learning journey. You are expected to: actively participate in lectures and tutorials, asking questions and engaging in discussions; prepare for each session by reviewing the relevant materials and formulating questions or topics you'd like to explore further, and; collaborate with peers to share insights, experiences, and perspectives on research methodologies and ethical considerations.
These learning approaches are strategically aligned with the course's primary pedagogies and digital strategy, ensuring that you develop the required skills and knowledge for conducting design research and contributing to academic scholarship in the field.
It's important to note that lectures and tutorials will not only support your comprehension of research methods but also provide the foundational knowledge necessary for the successful completion of the assessment tasks. Through these well-structured learning approaches, you will not only understand the foundational principles of design research but also actively apply them through assessments, ultimately equipping you to engage in sophisticated research and contribute to the body of knowledge in the field of design.
Some of the material you will need and details about the tasks that you will undertake will be found on the DYN906 Canvas site. You will need to regularly connect with this site to be kept informed of latest news and of weekly requirements of the unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
In this unit, feedback is a dynamic and multifaceted process designed to empower you in your learning journey. You will receive feedback through the following strategies, each tailored to enhance your understanding of research methodologies and guide your academic growth:
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Online Discussions: Regular participation in online discussions will provide you with valuable insights and different perspectives on the unit's key themes and concepts. Engaging in discussions with peers and teaching staff fosters constructive dialogue, encourages critical thinking, and nurtures a supportive learning environment.
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Tutorials: Feedback in the form of discussions and interactions in tutorials is pivotal in helping you consolidate your comprehension of research methods and ethical considerations. These interactive sessions, guided by experienced teaching staff, provide an avenue for real-time feedback, clarifications, and collaborative learning experiences.
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Written Feedback: Your academic progress and performance on formative and summative assessments will be supported by written feedback from teaching staff. This constructive feedback offers detailed insights into your work, highlighting areas of strength and improvement. It is aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of research methodologies, ethics, and academic writing specific to design research.
By harnessing the power of feedback provided through these diverse strategies, you will not only improve your understanding of research methodologies and human research ethics but also develop essential skills for contributing to design research and engaging in academic and professional discourse.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, assessment is designed to holistically measure your grasp of design research methodologies, human research ethics considerations in design research, and academic writing norms and expectations. The summative assessments are structured to evaluate your achievement of unit learning outcomes, aligning with QUT's Assessment and Feedback Procedures. These assessments are underpinned by formative activities that provide vital support for your successful completion.
The learning journey in this unit is scaffolded through various formative assessment activities:
- Tutorials: These interactive sessions prepare you for the Extended Abstract and Peer Review by enhancing your academic writing skills and your ability to critically assess research papers.
- Online Discussions: Engaging in discussions hones your critical thinking skills and encourages a deeper understanding of the research methodologies discussed, which is integral to the Annotated Bibliography and Extended Abstract.
- Peer Feedback: Active participation in peer reviews not only helps you understand the expectations for the Peer Review assessment but also deepens your grasp of research ethics and methodologies.
The formative assessments, aligned with QUT's best practices, are stepping stones to your success in the summative assessments. They provide guidance, foster collaborative learning, and enhance the essential skills required for research in design and its ethical applications.
The summative assessments, along with the supportive formative activities, not only offer insight into your academic and research capabilities but also cultivate the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the world of design research and academic discourse. Your growth as a design researcher is fostered through the alignment of assessments with the unit's learning outcomes.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Annotated Bibliography
The Annotated Bibliography compels you to curate a comprehensive list of relevant literature on a chosen topic. Each entry requires a concise description of its pertinence to the subject matter. This assessment evaluates your research skills, information synthesis, and your ability to critically assess the relevance of literature to the topic at hand. The constructive feedback provided during peer reviews and tutorials aids in improving your bibliography and understanding of research methodologies.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Extended Abstract
The Extended Abstract challenges you to encapsulate the essence of a longer research paper, such as one intended for a design research conference or journal, into a concise format. This assessment evaluates your capability to condense and communicate complex research effectively. Formative activities, including tutorials, discussions, and peer reviews, prepare you for this task by fostering your academic writing skills and your ability to synthesise and present research findings.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Peer Review
You form a group of peer reviewers. This will entail providing documented, critical judgements of your peers' work. You each evaluate the quality and effectiveness of their Extended Abstract and their adherence to academic norms. As a group, you also write a meta-review. This assessment measures your ability to critically assess research work, fostering a deeper understanding of research methodologies and standards. It also encourages you to appreciate diverse perspectives. The peer review process enhances your analytical skills and your ability to synthesise diverse opinions.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
You will be provided with a number of required readings that will be accessible via the Canvas site and/or the QUT Library. You will also have access to a range of software applications and online tools and platforms.
The unit Canvas site will provide a central repository for digital resources as well as documentation on unit housekeeping. You are expected to both review the unit Canvas site and check your QUT student email account at least daily.
Risk Assessment Statement
All commencing CIESJ students are required to complete the mandatory CIESJ Student HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) Inductions.
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the learning and teaching activities in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.DE88 Graduate Diploma in Strategic Design
- Demonstrate knowledge as it relates to contemporary issues, challenges and opportunities in Strategic Design.
Relates to: Annotated Bibliography, Extended Abstract - Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible judgement and decision making in individual and collaborative modes.
Relates to: Extended Abstract, Peer Review - Develop an understanding of the international landscape by evaluating diverse cultural, economic, and geopolitical perspectives in the context of Strategic Design.
Relates to: Annotated Bibliography
DE99 Master of Design (Strategic Design)
- Demonstrate and apply advanced and holistic knowledge as it relate to contemporary issues, challenges and opportunities in Strategic Design
Relates to: Annotated Bibliography, Extended Abstract - Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible judgement and decision making, recognising the importance of personal accountability, acumen and reflective practice when working in individual and collaborative modes
Relates to: Extended Abstract, Peer Review - Develop a nuanced understanding and sensitivity of the international landscape by synthesising diverse cross-cultural, economic, and geopolitical perspectives for effective Strategic Design leadership and approaches
Relates to: Annotated Bibliography - Demonstrate an ability to research and apply established theories and plan and execute a substantial research project, cultivating and communicating designerly thinking
Relates to: Annotated Bibliography, Extended Abstract, Peer Review