Research Methods

During my master’s at TU/e in Industrial Design, I had the opportunity to deepen my expertise in design research through the Research Methods course. This course focuses on behavioural research methods tailored to design, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively navigate both qualitative and quantitative research approaches.

One of my key takeaways from this course was the importance of choosing the right research methods and balancing them based on the problem context.

Individual

For my individual project, I explored sorting techniques like card sorts, object sorts, and picture sorts. These methods allowed me to dig deep into knowledge categorization, a crucial part of the design process. The project enhanced my ability to:

• Collect and analyze data using behavioural methods.
• Formulate research questions and design appropriate methodologies.
• Critically evaluate different research methods for their strengths and weaknesses.

The journey was not just about mastering the techniques but also about understanding the nuances of research quality and applying a mixed-methods approach. Through this course, I developed my ability to manage research rigorously, which will be invaluable in my future design projects.

Group Assignment

As part of the group project for the Research Methods course, we dove deep into the complexities of first-person perspective (FPP) in design. Our study, “Allowing the Shift to a First-Person Perspective”, aimed to understand why many designers, particularly students, struggle to apply FPP in their projects.

We conducted qualitative research, interviewing fellow Industrial Design master’s students to uncover the barriers they face when trying to integrate their personal experiences into design processes. Our findings revealed key challenges such as:

• The bias designers feel when using their personal experiences.
• A narrow viewpoint that limits the understanding of complex systems.
• External barriers like time constraints and professional expectations.

This research has provided valuable insights into how design education can better equip future designers to navigate these complexities by embracing a mix of perspectives—first, second, and third—to create more empathetic, impactful designs.

The full paper outlines actionable recommendations for improving design education, especially for complex societal innovation.