IB Design Technology Topic B2.1.2: Research in the Design Process Notes

Research Runs Throughout Designing, Classified By Source And Data Type

1. Research is a continuous and integral part of designing, not a task done once at the start.
2. Running it throughout helps a designer identify design opportunities, understand what users really need, and generate solutions that are feasible rather than guessed at.

Primary Sources

1. Primary research is first-hand: the designer gathers original data themselves, close to the real users and context.
2. Common methods are user observations, interviews, surveys and questionnaires, focus groups, material testing and product analysis.
3. Because it is collected directly, primary data is highly relevant to the specific problem, though it takes time and effort to run well.

1. Product analysis is a particularly useful primary method: an existing product is examined systematically to learn from it.
2. A designer looks at its function (what it does and how), its performance (how well it does the job, and its limitations) and its features (its key characteristics), which together reveal strengths, weaknesses and openings for improvement.

Secondary Sources

1. Secondary research uses information other people have already gathered, which makes it quick and broad but means the designer must judge how trustworthy and relevant it is.
2. Internet sources are accessible and diverse, but not all are credible and the volume can overwhelm.
3. Government data and statistics are reliable and comprehensive, though they can be out of date or too general.
4. University research is rigorous and peer-reviewed but is often behind paywalls and densely written.
5. A literature search of books, journals and industry reports gives depth and authority, at the cost of being time-consuming and sometimes dated.

Qualitative And Quantitative Data

1. Qualitative data is non-numerical: the words, thoughts, feelings and perceptions people share, usually through interviews or observation.
2. Its strength is depth, explaining the why behind behaviour, but it is subjective and harder to analyse, needing careful interpretation.

1. Quantitative data is numerical: things that can be measured and recorded, such as height, weight, shoe size or the depth of a kitchen counter.
2. It is objective, comparable and can be collected from large samples, but on its own it lacks context and may miss the full user experience.

Integrating Research Throughout The Design Process

1. Because it is continuous, research belongs at every stage, not only the beginning:
   1. Discovery: it identifies opportunities and defines the problem.
   2. Ideation: it feeds and refines ideas.
   3. Prototyping: it tests solutions with real users.
   4. Evaluation: it measures how well the design works.
2. Threading research through the whole cycle keeps decisions grounded in evidence.