The module explores various research approaches, with an emphasis on qualitative methods, and their integration into the design process to create opportunities for creative design solutions. The purpose of the module is to: • Enable a human centred approach to design which ensures that solutions address. the needs of all of the stakeholders involved. • To develop empathy and perspective building for all stakeholders. • To develop skills and an understanding of design research methods with particular emphasis on primary research methods. • To develop the skills and application of synthesis techniques and data analysis. • To develop the skills and application of generating needs statements. • To develop the skills and application of creating a design guide.

The syllabus involves taking a deep dive approach in a given context to understand the needs of the stakeholders involved. Through a mixture of workshops and immersion students will learn how to carry out research that can lead to opportunities for design and innovation projects. Course material: the syllabus will involve delivery of the following: • Defining the current knowledge about the context to be researched. • Defining the knowledge that must be acquired from the research. • Developing a mission statement for the research area • Defining the research questions. • Defining the research methods. • Conducting primary research in the field. • Synthesis & analysis of the research. • Development of need statements. • Filtering of need statements. • Development of a design guide. The course material will be enabled through a series of workshops where a problem based learning approach is applied to develop the skills being taught. Case studies and key examples of the use of these approaches for research and design will be used as material to enhance learning through practice, dialogue and reflection. The syllabus will include a period of immersion where students will carry out primary research in the environment of their research area. This will enable students to identify both problems and opportunities. The focus is to ask pointed questions that challenge the status quo. During this first-hand immersion period, students will collect multiple 'observations'. Through a process of synthesis and analyses these observations will be crafted into 'problem' and then 'need' statements. Through a process of filtering and categorisation of the needs this then forms the basis of the design guide. This is an iterative process, with progressive deeper dives into the needs that have the most potential for design and innovation solutions.

On completion of this programme students will be able to: • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of user-centred design research. • Demonstrate an understanding of qualitative research theory and methodologies. • Critically appraise their own level of knowledge on a research area in order to define research questions. • Apply qualitative research methods in context. • Synthesize and analyze and interpret research findings. • Develop 'observation', 'problem' and 'need' statements. • Filter 'need' statements to optimize the potential to design and innovate. • Generate a design guide.

On completion of this programme students will be able to: • Demonstrate empathy and an understanding of the perspectives of multiple stakeholders within a context. • Demonstrate appropriate sensitivity towards research participants recruited in a given study.

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The module is taught through a series of workshops in a studio environment where the students will apply theories and methods through learning by doing. This will be supported by the use of case studies, team work, small-group discussions and debate, and directed reading. The module resources will draw on contemporary research findings and current debates in design research.