Arozin - Design research

How can media technologies be evaluated?

The usage of media technologies are based on the satisfactions of its users. Is the product interesting? Is it comfortable to use, are the user interested in it’s purpose and are you willing to buy it ? What senses are stimulated, is it easy to understand etc. Media technology should in the first stages be evaluated through qualitative methods, so the researchers and designers can collect extensive and detailed data from the participants over a specific time period where several tests have been completed, so they can evaluate and compare the tests internally to observe improvements and correlations. Media technologies should be evaluated through quantitative methods when the product have been on the market, to get an overall view of the users opinion of the product.

What role will prototypes play in research?

Prototypes is a way to confirm the hypothesis and thereby theories in newly investigated fields. A prototype gives the researchers the opportunity to test their concept, process or product in a live environment with influences from the surroundings, influences which may be overlooked or forgotten in the products hypothesis. Different prototypes are used during the development to detect flaws, confirm assumptions, try different concepts and usage areas, test a new design to enhance the alpha product before it goes on the market.  

Why could it be necessary to develop a proof of concept prototype?

A proof of concept (POC) prototype is used to prove that the concept at hand may work and its feasibility, as compared to an engineering prototype is seen as an early version of the future alpha. Since the concept is one of the base pillars which the product at hand is built upon, you have to confirm its validity.

What are characteristics and limitations of prototypes?

The limitations of prototypes are almost always based on the budget. The research team cuts down on the costs of the prototypes to get them more cost effective which damages their effectivity, different materials behave differently to different usage, the prototypes only represent a compromise of the final product, and therefore a prototype may fail where the product will not.

A positive thing with prototypes is that you can make prototypes of several parts of the product and test them individually, so the production of a full prototype gets neglected. Researchers use this rapid-prototyping method to test different parts, optimize them and then combining them to the final product.

How can design research be communicated/presented?

This solely depends on what case you are facing. If you want to promote a product to you selected target group, you can make a marketing video, if you shall present a case to the board, you can use a powerpoint backed up with analyzed data.

How does a collaborative setting differ from a single user setting as regards methodology used and the results obtained?

Every kind of method has its advantages and disadvantages, a collaborative setting versus a single user setting are no different. Collaborative settings have the benefits of several minds working on the same problem, and thereby having different angles to the problem at hand, which opens up for new and different solutions. A collaborative setting challenges each individuals collaborative skills, which may benefit them in the long run but a negative side with a collaborative setting is the concept of “free riding” which is when one or more individuals knowingly neglects to do their part, forcing the other team members to do it.

One benefit that single user settings have is that it forces individuals to challenge their own minds. You dont have any peers or co-workers while trying to solve a problem by yourself, and this is a valuable skill that can come in hand in dire situations, how to outsmart you own mind and solve collaborate problems individually.

How can qualitative and quantitative methods in the same study complement each other?

Quantitative methods can be use to confirm a hypothesis and if an assumption are correct, while the qualitative method can can analyse the findings and validate the quantitative analysis hypothesis, and thereby present the factors that validated the hypothesis. A qualitative research can  give you indepth knowledge to why a quantitative survey or similar were confirmed to be accurate. Quantitative and qualitative research complement each other within the same study field, and the one may contain answers which the other may not.

I would argue that a qualitative study shall take place after a quantitative study has taken place and the results have been proved accurate.

Quantitative methods confirms if a hypothesis is correct or not.

Qualitative methods explains why a hypothesis is correct.

How can using both subjective and objective methods give a better understanding of a phenomenon?

A subjective phenomena can be hard to evaluate, since it is based on its own context. thereby each individual may perceive it differently. for example, how can we decide if something is heavy? You solely base our conclusion on your own strength, while your friend may be stronger and perceive the object as light. A objective method draws it conclusions from the object at hand, and negates any subjective influences. Subjective and objective methods work the same way as quantitative and qualitative methods, they contemplate each other and should be used together to come up with the most accurate conclusions, which can be based upon both subjective and objective observations.