DESIGN 700 : Design Research Methodologies

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A study of how to adopt and adapt different methodologies for context analysis, concept development, design iteration, deployment and evaluation.

Course Overview

Design is a complex activity interconnected with social, environmental, economic, political and technological contexts, these drive the evolution of design fields and design research. In this foundational course, students will learn about design research and its connection with and distinction from, research practices from different disciplines, contexts, and periods. 

Design Research Methodologies course approaches research with differing philosophies, assumptions and paradigms, these inform research for/into/through design. Students will learn and apply design research methodologies to develop research skills such as research planning, and navigating complex ethical questions and processes. Students will gain an understanding of what counts as academic and research rigor through data collection and analysis, reporting, and dissemination phases; important processes for knowledge creation in advanced studies.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Design

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand key theoretical and philosophical concepts relevant to a critical consideration of contemporary design. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.2 and 8.1)
  2. Explore a range of research methodologies relevant to the written and spoken discourses that accompany the production of contemporary design. (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1 and 8.1)
  3. Reflect on the motives, contexts and methods of contemporary design practices, including the identification of new questions relevant to a chosen field of design production. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.2, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.3 and 8.4)
  4. Communicate the motives, contexts and methods of contemporary design practices in written form. (Capability 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 6.2)
  5. Understand how research practices can give consideration to and reflect upon Tikanga Māori values. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 8.3 and 8.4)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Design toolkits 35% Group Coursework
Design research proposal 40% Individual Coursework
Design Jam 5% Peer Coursework
Peer review readings and studio culture 20% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Design toolkits
Design research proposal
Design Jam
Peer review readings and studio culture

A total grade of 50% or higher is required to pass this course.

Teaching & Learning Methods

This 12 weeks course is conformed by weekly sessions where students will engage in different activities like presentations, collective activities and discussions alongside design researchers, practitioners and peers. Students are expected to attend sessions every week and actively engage in readings and discussions beyond class since the course has been designed to equip students with the necessary skills to complete all assessment activities to receive a passing grade.

This foundational course discusses different research philosophies and paradigms informing research for/into/through design. It covers qualitative and quantitative methodologies, methods and tools, research planning, ethics and academic rigour, data collection and analysis, reporting and dissemination.

Students are required to regularly check the Canvas site for specific instructions and updates.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 12.5 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 1-3 hours of engagement in lectures, discussions and collaborative activites, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 6.5 hours of work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at weekly sessions to complete components of the course. Lectures will be scheduled in advance and the recordings will be available afterwards on the Canvas site.

Group discussions and other activities will not be available as recordings. Guest lectures will be recorded and disseminated subject to the guests' approval.


Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Part of this course may require additional resources. This may include specialised materials, tooling, hardware, or software. Where possible the programme will supply these items to students at cost price through the CAI shop, however, students also need to be prepared to source these items at their own expense.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Students' feedback from a previous iteration has been included.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Where a student faces unavoidable personal circumstances (e.g. illness or a death in the family) that mean the student is unable to submit a component of coursework, they may apply for an extension.  Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved using the online Extension of Time Application form available on Canvas:

https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/student/creative-arts-and-industries/design-programme-extension-of-time-application-form.html

Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications received after an assessment due date will be accepted, where this is reasonable, within the context of the course. If possible, students are encouraged to seek medical, counselling or other support from the most appropriate sources.

No extensions will be granted for problems such as accidentally erased computer files, which should always be prevented by keeping backup copies.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 27/10/2023 01:58 p.m.