Design process OUGD405: Research Methods.

Previous to this Design process session in the morning, we had been given our research brief and a theme in which we would provide a breadth of research in response. The research theme I was given was the film, 'The shining'. We were then told to go away and research these themes. 

At the start of the session we were asked to write down the 10 most interesting things we had learnt about our research subject. we were put into groups and in groups we were to one by one tell each other this information. 

When looking back at the information, as a group we were to give percentages to what was facts and what was opinions. As a group 70% of the information we had found was facts and the rest (30%) was opinions. We were then asked by Fred, what is the difference between a fact and an opinion? To which we concluded that opinions were not able to be backed up by evidence and proof to which facts were.

We then looked a the method in which we had collected this information and found that most of us had turned to the internet for information, with a small number looking at books, and close to none collecting any primary research. We discovered that when researching most or all of us would turn to a computer and the internet in order to gain information. 

As a group we listed the methods that we had approached and taken in order to gain information:

- Browsing the World Wide Web. 

- Watching videos.

- Reading articles.

- Listening to music.

- Talking to parents.

- Consuming object. (Bobby's apple)

- Looking at images.

As a class with Fred we then listed the sources we could gain or attempt to collect in order to really accumulate a detailed breadth of research. 

- Facts 

- Opinions

- Quotes: Photocopies, Recordings of interviews, Magazines/books, Practical experiences and observations.

- Analysis.

- Images: Screenshots. designs, advertising, print out, scanned, blogged, drawings.

- Videos: Quotes, screenshots, observational notes, audio, extracts, clips. 

- Statistics

- Statements

- Dates

We then looked at the problems we faced when attempting to research.

-Time constraints (limited time)

- Reliability of sources

- Lack of contacts

- Location is too far away

- Events are in the past (cannot experience first hand)

- Insufficient funds (travel etc)

- Legal restrictions

- People have past away

- Lack of interest in the subject

- Co-operation of people taking part in surveys

- Lack of prior knowledge on the subject

- People may lack confidence in talking to others.

With Fred we then worked out ways to solve these problems.

- Manage money and prioritise what needs to be purchased

- Geographical constraints: Send emails to people who have been or are there. Use google maps for images.

- Choose more accessible locations to visit.

- Plan/ Prioritise what must be done

- Email instead of phoning or speaking face to face.

When making these lists we realised that research itself Is a problem, in which we must choose the appropriate methods to attempt to dissect, estimate and interpret what results are needed. We must first figure out what we are wanting to learn before attempting to research and realise that through choosing these appropriate methods we should not come across problems. When we say we have problems with research, we are really just making excuses when we should be finding other ways to research.