Design Research & Methodology // Proposal

Design Research & Methodology

24/08/20 - 14/09/20 / Week 1 - Week 4

Ibrahim Fazal Ahmad / 0337423

Design Research & Methodology / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylors University

Proposal

INSTRUCTIONS

Week 1 (24/08/20)

LECTURE: This week we learned about:

• What is research? Systematic and creative investigation into materials to reach new conclusions. For us, it is a self-directed research into our area of interest. 
• Why do we research? Expand our understanding into our field. Gain new experiences and make connections with important individuals. Develop critical thinking, time management and communication skills. 
• How do we start? Identify the field of interest, do further research, create a problem statement followed by research questions and objectives. 

For our first class, we were briefed by Dr Hayati about this class, and how we will need to select a research topic with a solvable problem. It should be possible to complete within the 14 weeks we are given, the topic would preferably be within your own specialisation field. I had come into this class with a topic in mind, but after discussing with Dr Hayati, I realised the topic was firstly, not relevant and secondly, I may have to completely change my specialisation as my interests align upon Entertainment Design compared to Animation.

Figure 1: Week 1 Lecture

For the next class, we need to have a propose a 200 word write up, explaining our area of interest and why we would like to explore it. Personally,  I would like to explore diversity within video games or a topic upon this area.  

Week 2 (30/08/20)

LECTURE: What is a problem statement? 

• Concise description
• Identifies gap between the current state and the ideal state. 
• Provides reader a way to understand easily.

Figure 1.01: Week 2 Lecture

In our second class, we had to watch the recorded lecture and try to refine the topic we had wanted to explore. I personally wanted to look into the lack of diversity within character design in video games, as I personally relate to this issue and know how it feels to be underrepresented in media. I was told that my topic is rather Mass Communication related and to try and refine it and make it more design based. Possibly look into racial stereotyping in character design. Here is my first draft of a proposal being the 200 word write up:

Figure 1.02: 200 word rationale

Week 3 (07/09/20)

LECTURE: 

• Research - A study of a problem where the researcher attempts to find a solution to the problem. 

To do this, we have to devise research questions and research objectives. 

• Research Question - Answerable question into the specific issue. Derived from the problem statement. 
• Research Objective - What a researcher expects to complete by the end of their research. Allows the researcher to have a direction for their study. 

Inductive Research: Used when there is little information about the topic, it contains 3 stages. 

• Observation
• Observe a pattern
• Develop a theory

A conclusion based on inductive research can not be prove, but the larger your dataset the more reliable your answer. 

Deductive Research: Start with a theory, test the said theory. It contains 4 stages.

• Start with an existing theory
• Formulate a hypothesis based on that theory 
• Collect data to test that theory 
• Analyse the results: is the data in favour or against the hypothesis?

Figure 1.03: Week 3 Lecture

This week we had to try and finalise our proposal and develop them further before our final submission of the powerpoint presentation. Here is my current problem statement along with the research questions and objectives:

Figure 1.04: Problem Statement, Research Questions & Objectives

Week 4 (14/09/20)

RESEARCH 101 WORKSHOP SLIDES:

Figure 1.05: Week 4, Research 101

With that, we are done with our proposal, there may be further ammendments and changes in the future but here is my current proposal: 

Figure 1.06: Proposal

I have revised my proposal after moving forward, here is the revised proposal: 

Figure 1.07: Revised Proposal