RESEARCH METHODS IN DESIGN
Future designers need to have critical research knowledge and skillsets that include mastery of various research methods, related issues, and practical experiences in understanding and interpreting quantitative or qualitative research. Design research allows designers to be involved directly with objects, products, and environments they design through human-centered inquiry. The major concepts addressed include design research and its influence on the practice of design, generating research questions, critical literature review, research evaluation, data management and analysis, and various research strategies, all geared toward application to various design practices.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Senior standing Course Designation: Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Appreciate the role of research in design as a tool to involve directly with object, products, and environment that you design Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Recognize the value of multiple methods and perspectives in design research Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Explore how research can inform design practices in each design stages Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Identify relevant sources and professional organizations that can be accessed for information gathering, research, and problem-solving processes Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Apply assessment processes to evaluate design outcomes Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Effectively present and communicate research to an audience both in written, graphic and oral format Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of various research methodologies and techniques Audience: Graduate 8. Choose and apply specific research methods based on critical assessment of various research methods Audience: Graduate 9. Develop a conceptually sophisticated research projects that suits their graduate research agenda Audience: Graduate 10. Demonstrate beginning-level statistical techniques, and critically read studies using such techniques Audience: Graduate 11. Learn and lead from class activities, research projects, and self-directed study Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Appreciate the role of research in design as a tool to involve directly with object, products, and environment that you design Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Recognize the value of multiple methods and perspectives in design research Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Explore how research can inform design practices in each design stages Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Identify relevant sources and professional organizations that can be accessed for information gathering, research, and problem-solving processes Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Apply assessment processes to evaluate design outcomes Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Effectively present and communicate research to an audience both in written, graphic and oral format Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of various research methodologies and techniques Audience: Graduate 8. Choose and apply specific research methods based on critical assessment of various research methods Audience: Graduate 9. Develop a conceptually sophisticated research projects that suits their graduate research agenda Audience: Graduate 10. Demonstrate beginning-level statistical techniques, and critically read studies using such techniques Audience: Graduate 11. Learn and lead from class activities, research projects, and self-directed study Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027