Design Research: Theory and Perspectives
Teori och perspektiv i designforskning

IDE030F, 5 credits

Valid from: Autumn 2015
Decided by: FN3/Per Tunestål
Date of establishment: 2015-09-30

General Information

Division: Industrial Design
Course type: Third-cycle course
Teaching language: English

Aim

The aim of the course is to introduce, problematise and critically examine central topics of design research, including theoretical perspectives, methodology, and topical areas, in the field of industrial design and related areas. Furthermore, the course aims to put central issues of design research and process into perspective, such as theory development, approach, rigour, and evaluation.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• - Be able to explain and use basic concepts in design research
• - Show an awareness and understanding of the nature of design research in the field of industrial design and related areas
• - Demonstrate knowledge of the variety of methodological approaches in design research and their fit with various research aims or questions
• - Show an understanding of the different levels of learning and their relation to third cycle studies (cf Biggs, 1999)

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• - Formulate, motivate and critically reflect, verbally and in writing, upon research topics, objectives and learning outcomes in design research
• - Assess and select appropriate approaches for research within a given topic
• - Critically examine and judge rigour, such as validity and reliability, in relation to approach and topic

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• - Demonstrate insight into and ability to critical view towards possibilities and limitations of different methodological approaches for given topic areas
• - Exhibit an understanding of the implications of choice of research approach on the quality and nature of the findings
• - Understand and assess the contribution of design research in general and for specific topics, in relation to knowledge creation and societal needs

Course Contents

The course includes fundamental aspects of thinking, making and learning as part of the practice of doing research in the field of design. Furthermore, approaches, perspectives and theoretical foundations, which are central for design research, are discussed and related to students' own research projects. The course covers the following areas: - Fundamentals and structure of design research - Rigour and trustworthiness in design research - Design reasoning models, generic strategies and world views - Approaches to design research inquiry - Examples of topical areas of design research inquiry

Course Literature

Course material will be distributed prior to the course. Additional material will if needed be distributed during the course.

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, seminars, exercises. The course consists of self studies, lectures, seminars and workshop exercises.

Examination Details

Examination formats: Written report, seminars given by participants. Active participation in critical reflection and discussion individually and in group work is a requirement for achieving a passing grade.
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Admission requirements: Participants are expected to be enrolled to doctoral studies or do the course in preparation for research studies.
Assumed prior knowledge: Participants are expected to have knowledge on an advanced level of design or relevant areas, and to have a written research proposal or formulated a research question for their project.

Further Information

The course is delivered upon request, given that a sufficient number of students have shown an interest for the course.

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinator: Anders Warell <anders.warell@design.lth.se>