DDN 701 Research Methods in Design



		College of Design - PhD in Design Program DDN 701 Research Methods in Design Instructor: Perver K. Baran, PhD

		Course Description This course examines basic research methods in the field of design. As an introductory course, it is intended to provide students with a foundation for reading, understanding, and using design research, and for taking advanced courses in research methods. Students systematically investigate alternative research strategies and become familiar with broad range of research methods frequently used in design research. Course readings cover major research designs/strategies and present sample of recent articles from major journals in design and related fields that utilize each research design. By the end of the course students are acquired with the following skills: A knowledge of the broad range of alternative approaches to design research. An ability to critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of various research designs. An appreciation of multiple methods and perspectives in analyzing problems. A recognition that theory, epistemology, and methodology are interrelated features of the inquiry endeavor. Establish a common context of knowledge and terminology within which discussions of the various research designs occur. An ability to transform a problem or question into a plan of research.

		Course Content and Structure The course consists of two major segments. The first segment is intended as a foundation for the rest of the course and focuses on broad issues common to problems of research design across all areas of design research. In the second segment of the course, we will examine each week a specific approach to design research and the methods used. In these sessions, the assigned readings will include both general analyses of the research approach and specific examples of actual research studies utilizing that approach.

		Reading Material Most of the readings will be selections from books and journals. Most will be available from e-reserve. There are two required books: Groat, L. & D. Wang (2002). Architectural Research Methods. New York: Wiley. Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

		Course Requarements There are three requirements for this course: (1) class preparation and participation (2) short essays; and (3) research study (research proposal and pilot study). 1. Class Preparation and Participation. Class sessions consist of seminar discussions of various methodological topics. Therefore, students are expected to have read all of the required readings prior to each class session and come to all classes ready for meaningful participation. In order to encourage group discussions and to provide a platform for sharing ideas among students three workshops are scheduled throughout the semester. Each workshop is explained in a separate handout. Participation in class includes active involvement in discussions and providing feedback to others during both the regular class sessions and workshops. 2. Short Essays. Two short essays, roughly 4 pages in length, are conceived as providing a foundation for the research project. Short essays will entail a comparative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the research approaches presented in each week's readings, with specific reference to their utility in studying the problem area selected by the student for the research study. It is up to the students to select which two of three essay assignments they choose to take on: Short Essay 1: Comparison of experimental and correlational approaches Short Essay 2: Comparison of qualitative and historical approaches Short Essay 3: Comparison of simulation and action research approaches 3. Research Study: Research Proposal and Pilot Work. As a major course work each student develops a research proposal. For this assignment, students select a problem area of interest to them, develop a research design for investigating it, and conduct a pilot study. The research proposal includes the following: description of problem area; literature review, critique, and analysis; conceptual framework and research questions; research design; and analysis of and rational for the proposed research design and the particular forms in which the methods are employed. The pilot study involves a modest test case of proposed research methods. The details of the research study are explained in a separate handout.

		Course Schedule and Topics Week 1: Epistemology, Theory and Methodology Week 2: Standards of Quality and Verification Week 3: Defining Research Strategies and Tactics Week 4: Generating Research Questions & Workshop 1 - Generating Research Questions Week 5: Introduction to Sampling Week 6: Qualitative Research Week 7: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Week 8: Workshop 2 - Literature review & Conceptual Framework and Research Questions Week 9: Spring Break Week 10: Correlational Research Week 11: Historical Research Week 12: Simulation and Modeling Research Week 13: Workshop 3 - Research Design and Quality Considerations Week 14: Action Research and Design Intervention Week 15: Theoretical Research Week 16: Case Studies and Combined Strategies