Design Research Methodology: Proposal

29.03.2021 -  25.04.2021 (Week #1 - Week #4)

Seerat Tayyab Mukhtar Qureshi - 0345576 (BDCM)

Design Research Methodology 

Proposal

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1. Lectures:

Week #1: This week we started off with a basic introduction to the module and what is expected of us in this module. Then we moved on to what is research. Research is the systematic and creative investigation into and study of materials. Research is the pursuit of knowledge and it increases our stock of knowledge which help us devise new applications. 

Then we looked at why do we research. It is to expand our understanding and help us define our interests, academics and career. It helps us develop critical thinking skills and gain academic experiences. We were also provided with a research problem PDF to help us prepare for next week where we have to start looking at research problems. 

Fig 1.0: Lecture slides

Week #2: This week our lecture was about problem statements, research problems and research objectives.

A problem statement is a concise description of an issue to addressed or a condition to be improved on. It is the gap between the current situation and the desired situation. 

A research question is an answerable inquiry into a specific concern or issue. It is the initial step in a research project.

Research objectives are what we hope to achieve through our project. They also help guide the activities of our research.

Fig 1.1: Lecture slides

Week #3: We had to watch a recorded lecture for this week, which goes more in-depth about research questions and research objectives. Dr Jinchi talked about how research objectives need to be SMART.

Specific
Measurable 
Attainable
Realistic
Time-bound

The next thing Dr Jinchi talked about inductive research vs. deductive research and how we can decide if the RQs comes first or the ROs. If we don't know what we might find at the end of the research (inductive approach) it will be logical to have RQs first. If we do have an idea or a hypothesis (deductive approach) then the ROs will come first.

Inductive approach:

Fig 1.3: From lecture slides

Deductive approach: 

Fig 1.4: From lecture slides

Fig 1.5: Lecture slides

Week #4: This week we had our Library Information Literacy Workshop (LIBILW). We were provided with a set of lectures by Taylor's Library to help in our research. There was quite a bit of information provided on various topics such as citations, how to properly use the Library portal online, and how to use the software Mendeley.

In the citations lesson, we learnt the correct way to cite various sources as journals, websites books etc in proper APA style. 

Mendeley is an extension you can add to your computer that stores your bibliography and helps you compile your references list at the end of the research paper.

2. Instructions:

Module information booklet

3. Proposal 

Dr Jinchi told us to prepare some ideas to show to her and discuss. 

Fig 1.6: My mind map

I want to explore how sometimes these sorts of Instagram posts might come across as tone-deaf and numb because the graphic design is not suitable or in any way associated with the post's message. This sort of content that has been named "digestible" is it really necessary? Must social issues be watered down with aesthetics for it to be appealing to the audience?

The next step was to compile it all into a proper formal proposal.

Fig 1.7: Final Proposal

[25.03.2021]

4. Feedback

Week #1: Dr Jinchi asked us why we chose graphic design and through our answers, she gave us feedback on how to formulate our problem statement. I mentioned I enjoyed making posters for events in schools and creatively conveying information is something I am passionate about. She suggested I can look into why I enjoyed it and then expand on that for next week.

Week #2: This week after showing Dr Jinchi my mind map she liked my idea and said it has the potential to be a really good dissertation. She suggested that I could look into the "suitability" of visuals in these sort of posts. She also said that the contradiction between the text and the aesthetic could be something to look at.

Week #3: I showed Dr Jinchi the preliminary draft of my proposal and she pointed out that actually I had been confused between the rationale and problem statement. She also mentioned that my RQs and ROs needed some refining and she helped me restructure them. Overall she said it was looking fine and I just needed to work on my structure and formatting. Dr, Jinchi also mentioned I should do more reading and if I can't find any specifically for Instagram then I can look at other parts of my problem statement.

Week #4: Dr Jinchi provided comments on my proposal on areas to fix such as adding definitions and citations. I also mentioned to Dr Jinchi that I wanna explore the angle of looking at 20th-century socio-political graphic design and sort of comparing it a bit to this to show that it's possible to create an explicit and impactful message whilst still using appealing visuals. Dr Jinchi mentioned I can incorporate this into my problem statement and write about the ideal situation and also demonstrate that I understand that the progression of technology is responsible for some of the changes but the origin behind graphic design should always be about the purpose. 

5. Reflection

Week #1: I am glad to be working with Dr Jinchi since I had her for design principles in my first semester and I feel comfortable with her. Her method of asking us all why we chose graphic design first was a really effective way to help us with our problem statement. I look forward to finding an interesting topic of my choice to research. 

Week #2:  I feel quite motivated after feedback from Dr Jinchi at the same time I'm quite nervous too because of how extensive and tiring researching can get. I really like the topic I have chosen and it fits my interests and now I can start working on my ROs, RQs and problem statement.

Week #3: I have a lot more clarity now on what to do after receiving feedback from Dr Jinchi. I also reached out to some of my friends and asked for their opinion on some of the Instagram posts and their opinions and thoughts also really helped me. I can now restructure my proposal with a better understanding and make it better.

Week #4: I submitted my proposal this week and although it was difficult at first, it was a rewarding process that will benefit me in the next semester when we have to write our dissertation. If my proposal is clear then that would make my writing process a lot smoother and easier. Clarity is also an important element the proposal provides and helps in the cohesiveness of the paper.