DG4S34 - Advanced Design Research 05 Dec 2019 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: DG4S34
Module Title: Advanced Design Research
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Design
Module Leader: Philip Harfield, Kara Tennant
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100811 - creative management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 05 Dec 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

The module aims to develop advanced research skills through first-hand experience of a range of human-centred and design-led research methods applied within professional situations. To critically reflect on their efficacy in informing decision-making, and to demonstrate creativity in proposing novel modes of research.

Specific aims are:

  • To enable understanding of advanced design research methods which inform strategic initiatives and add value to businesses and organisations
  • To develop graduate attributes which embrace uncertainty and complexity, and nurture an inquisitive and empathetic mindset.
  • To enable critical thinking in the selection and application of appropriate design research methods
  • To professionalise the use of creative methods to analyse, visualise and communicate research to inform innovation projects
  • To enable critical reflection on current research methods in the proposition of novel and impactful approaches to research
  • To critically review the ethical implementation of research methods in real-world situations

Content Summary

Content within this module will draw upon prior learning in the framing of advanced research enquiry within the iterative innovation process. Students will undertake an advanced approach to developing new insight gathering propositions and the synthesis of qualitative data to inform decision making.

Activities will include:

  • Professional research planning, emphasising the selection of appropriate research methods when undertaking a multi-perspective research enquiry within a thematic area
  • The use of human-centred (ethnographic) research methods to collect primary data, to derive user/stakeholder/customer perspectives and needs (observation, conversation and immersion)
  • The development of creative research tools to facilitate new insight and modes of communication
  • Propose and employ frameworks to interpret research data and identify innovation opportunities.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 9
Seminar 18
Tutorial 4
Fieldwork 9
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 60
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Apply critical awareness to the selection and application of appropriate and purposeful research methods
LO2 Apply highly creative and novel approaches to the gathering of research data, and the synthesis of insights from diverse primary, secondary and tertiary sources

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Visual Journal 1 Journal of observations conversations and experiments: Documented evidence of insight development resulting from novel research activities 0 N/A 70 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 Insightful research planning: In response to the identified need for valid qualitative research data, propose a novel insight gathering method. 0 1800 30 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Visual Journal 1
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1

Reading List

Reading will be based on journal articles that reflect contemporary thinking related to the module content. Also, latest editions of the following texts:

Noble, I. & Bestley, R., 2018. Visual research : an introduction to research methods in graphic design, 3rd ed., 741.60721 NOB

Collins, H., 2019. Creative research : the theory and practice of research for the creative industries, 2nd ed., 707 COL

Lidwell, W., Holden, K. & Butler, J., 2010. Universal principles of design : 115 ways to enhance usability, influence perception, increase appeal, make better design decisions, and teach through design Rev. and updated., Gloucester, Mass. : Hove: Rockport ; RotoVision [distributor]. 745.403 LID

Design Research: Observing Critical Design. 2013, pp. The SAGE Handbook of Digital Technology Research. Full text available at: SAGE Research Methods Core

Laurel, B., 2003. Design research : methods and perspectives, Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.

Leonard, Neil, and Gavin. Ambrose., 2012. Design Research : Investigation for Successful Creative Solutions. AVA Academia ; Distributed by Thames and Hudson,.

Vaughan, Laurene., 2017. Practice Based Design Research.