What is Research (Recorded lecture)

Summary

This lecture introduces design students to the concept of design research, emphasizing its importance as both a systematic and creative process. The instructor highlights the need for self-directed exploration, encouraging students to choose topics of personal interest while ensuring scholarly rigor. Key steps in the research process include selecting focused topics, identifying research gaps, and formulating questions and objectives. The session emphasizes the importance of time management, critical thinking, and effective communication as students progress through their projects. Overall, students are guided to use academic resources like Google Scholar to support their research and prepare for a successful academic journey.

Takeaways

• 😀 Research is a systematic and creative investigation aimed at exploring and discovering new facts or conclusions.
• 😀 Design students should view themselves as researchers and engage in practice-based research within their design studies.
• 😀 Self-directed research is crucial, as students are responsible for selecting and exploring a topic of their own interest.
• 😀 The research process increases knowledge and understanding, particularly in human culture, society, and the environment.
• 😀 Students should narrow down their research topics to make them specific and achievable within the time frame of the semester.
• 😀 Scholarly sources, such as academic journals and Google Scholar, should be prioritized over non-academic materials like blogs.
• 😀 Identifying research gaps, defining research problems, and formulating research questions are essential steps in the research process.
• 😀 Students are expected to submit a research proposal, outlining their topic, research problem, and objectives within the next week.
• 😀 Research is not limited to science; design research also involves systematic exploration of topics related to human life, technology, and society.
• 😀 By engaging in research, students will develop critical thinking, time management, leadership, and communication skills that are valuable in their careers.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of this design research course?

The primary focus of this course is to encourage students to engage in practice-based research, specifically within the field of creative media design. The aim is to explore, discover, and increase knowledge through systematic and creative investigation.

How is research defined in the context of this course?

Research is defined as a systematic and creative investigation that explores and discovers materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. It involves studying human culture, society, and the environment, ultimately contributing to new knowledge.

What are the expected outcomes of doing research in this course?

The expected outcomes include the development of critical thinking, time management, communication skills, and maturity. Additionally, students will create scholarly projects that communicate their research results and contribute to their academic and career development.

Why is it important for students to choose a research topic that aligns with their interests?

Choosing a research topic that aligns with personal interests is crucial because it helps sustain motivation throughout the research process. It allows students to explore topics that resonate with them, which can lead to more engaging and impactful research.

What is meant by 'self-directed research'?

Self-directed research refers to the process in which students take responsibility for choosing their research topics and conducting investigations independently. The role of the supervisor or lecturer is to guide and facilitate, but students are expected to drive the research themselves.

What kind of sources are considered reliable for scholarly research?

Reliable sources for scholarly research include academic journals, books by recognized scholars, and other reputable academic publications. Blogs and other non-scholarly sources can be considered if they are written by credible experts in the field.

What steps should students take to refine their research topic?

Students should start by identifying a broad area of interest, then narrow it down to a manageable and impactful topic. This involves conducting preliminary research, reading relevant articles, and identifying gaps or weaknesses in existing studies that the student’s research can address.

How can students effectively select a research topic?

Students can select a research topic by considering current issues, exploring topics that appeal to them personally, and ensuring that the topic is relevant to their specialization. It’s important to choose a topic that is narrow enough to be achievable within the semester timeline.

What is the role of a research problem and how should students define it?

The research problem helps define the focus of the study and highlights the gap in existing knowledge. Students should identify a research problem by reviewing the literature, noting areas that have not been fully explored, and framing a specific, clear problem that their research will address.

What is expected of students by the end of week one in this course?

By the end of week one, students are expected to have identified their research area and topic, done initial reading to understand the current state of research, and formulated a draft of their research problem. They should also upload their thoughts to Google Drive for further feedback.