The spiral of applied research

A methodological view on integrated Design research

Conference paper (2003)

Authors

Claudia Eckert University of Cambridge
P.J. Clarkson External organisation
M. K. Stacey De Montfort University
Affiliation
External organisation
Empirical study Process Research methodology
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Published Date

2003

Language

English

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Affiliation

External organisation

Abstract

Design covers a wide range of human activities. It is inherently multi-facetted, multi-layered and complex. Design research serves the dual purpose of understanding the phenomenon of design and improving particular aspects of design. Understanding design requires multidisciplinary research drawing on such diverse fields as psychology, sociology and computer science. This paper proposes a framework with in which design research can be carried out in big research teams. It contains eight major stages. Four fundamental research efforts drawing on different domains (Empirical studies of design behaviour, Development of theory, Development of tools and procedures, Introduction of tools and procedures) and emphasis the important of separate evaluation after each stage. Individual projects can contain any number of these stages, provided the researchers are aware of the bigger picture. The paper concludes with a comparison with DRM.