Definition
Research (Inquiry)
a) to use tools, methods or a methodology to collect qualitative and quantitative data, explore and thoroughly learn about a subject, its context and its audience(s).
b) to explore formal or material qualities
Analysis (Distillation)
a) to compare and contrast data collected and to conclude understanding
b) to critically reflect on formal/material explorations
Synthesis (Application)
a) to devise an informed strategy for a design response
b) to devise an informed strategy for a design response
Process
a) the entire journey usually starting with debriefing and research towards developing a response
b) the exploration of a design response based on research and analysis
Methodology
A methodology is the deliberate, sequential application of principles and tools for an inquiry to achieve a particular goal.
Tool
A tool is a method to facilitate an activity such as revealing or explaining differences, connections, priorities or processes.
Research Methods
Qualitative Methods
Focus Group
Survey
- Questionnaire
- Photography
- Film
- History
- Literature Review
- Media
- Social Listening
Ethnography
- Photography
- Interviews(Structured + Unstructured)
- Observation
Mapping
- User Experience
- Journey
- Empathy
- Mind-mapping
- Geo-mapping
Collection
- Terms
- Objects
- Competitors
- Materials
- Lists
- Questions
- Data From Open Sources, Subscriptions, Self-initiated Collection
Others
- Cultural Probes
- Participatory Action Research
- Role Playing
- Persona
- User Scenario
Quantitative Methods
Survey
- Questionnaire
- Interview
Collecting
- Data
Making
- Iterating
- Exploring
- Experimenting
- Within Framework
- Freeflow (Stream of Consciousness)
- Sketching
- Word Associations
- Material Studies
- Speculative Design / Design Fiction
Others
- Library research
- Dictionary
Analysis Methods
Organize / Interpret / Distilling / Extracting / Prioritizing
Taxonomy
- Typology
- Matrix
- Categorizing
- Cataloging
- Hierarchy
- LATCH (Location, alphabet, time, category, history)
Compare/Contrast
- Survey Outcomes
- Field Work
- Observations
- Media
- Photography
- Data
- 6 Thinking Hats
- SWOT
Mapping
- User Experience
- Empathy
- System/context
- Correlations
- Taxonomy
Grounded Theory
- Pattern Recognition
- Codifying
- Identifying Outliers
- Collecting
Making
Prototyping
- Mockup
- Interpreting
- Visualizing
- Iterating
- Exploring
- Experimenting within parameters
Synthesis Methods
Defining
- Developing a Hypothesis
- Writing a Brief
Strategizing
- System
- Conceptualizing
- Ideating
- Writing a proposal
Making
- Establishing a vocabulary: visuals, interactions, terms/names
- Constructing
- Sketching
- Iterating
- Speculative design