Theme 5: Design research - Topic 2 (before)

"Finding Design Qualities in a Tangible Programming Space", Ylva Fernaeus & Jakob Tholander 

"Differentiated Driving Range: Exploring a Solution to the Problems with the “Guess-O-Meter” in Electric Cars", Anders Lundström 

• What is the 'empirical data' in these two papers?

Both of these design research papers are based on an iterative usability process to come to a result. The project about the differentiated driving range builds upon technical data provided by the electric car and on user experience collected through interviews. With these insights, the researchers/designers built a new interface which they evaluated and adapted themselves. In the tangible programming research, the data was collected by observing children’s interaction with different models of the tangible programming interface.

• Can practical design work in itself be considered a 'knowledge contribution'?

One could argue that the practical act of designing is not a knowledge contribution. In my opinion, however, this design work is based on insights and conceptual work which is definitely new knowledge. So, to me, the outcome of the design can absolutely be considered to be a knowledge contribution. 

• Are there any differences in design intentions within a research project, compared to design in general?

The intention of a research project is to find the best possible design solution to a problem or a project. However, design in general is also solution-oriented and in both cases, iterative processes and usability checks should be included. 

• Is research in tech domains such as these ever replicable? How may we account for aspects such as time/historical setting, skills of the designers, available tools, etc?

I think that research in tech domains is not exactly replicable due to the mentioned external factors. Nonetheless, the general outcome or the direction of the solution should probably be the same in different settings (leaving new inventions after significant time difference out of the discussion). There are alternative solutions to problems, but I imagine there to always be a best solution. 

• Are there any important differences with design driven research compared to other research practices?

I think that design-driven research is more iterative than other research processes because usability and user tests are crucial in design research. Therefore, there have to be several rounds of observation as opposed to other research where there tends to be fewer iterations.