Reference no: EM133747966
Assessment: Background Research Report
Overview
In this assessment, you will be completing the first two stages of the 5E Design Thinking Framework - Explore and Evaluate. For the 'explore' stage, you will use several design research tools to undertake primary and secondary background research to better understand the nature of the Design Challenge. The 'evaluate' stage will require you to examine the data you have gathered and synthesise it to reframe the initial problem into a clear and concise problem statement that guides the rest of the design process.
The purpose of this assessment is to expose you to design research methods, develop your capability in preparing a formal academic research report, and provide opportunities for experiential learning. The report also acts as a springboard for the subsequent assessments, such as A3a and A3b.
Learning Outcome 1: Examine and discuss design thinking, exploring its manifestations and implications within organisational contexts.
Learning Outcome 2: Create and communicate end-user¬driven solutions to business problems or opportunities, employing design thinking principles and encouraging diversity and team creativity throughout the process.
Learning Outcome 3: Demonstrate creative, critical and ethical thinking by collaboratively developing and recommending solutions to business problems and opportunities that benefit relevant stakeholders.
Learning Outcome 4: Evaluate potential outcomes of design thinking in view of better creative problem solving, decision making, implementation and sustainability of solutions.
Assessment Details
This assessment evaluates your ability to conduct primary research (first-hand collection of new/original data by conducting an interview) and secondary research (summary or synthesis of data and literature that has already been organised and published by others). You will aim to use these methods, along with an attitude of non-judgement and empathy, to achieve the deepest possible understanding of the design challenge. The data you collect will then be used to inform the refraining of the clients problem.
• conduct at least 3-5 (not less than three and can be more than 5) interviews
• Alternatively, you can capture qualitative comments from 8-10 respondents (more than 10 is always good) through a survey with your stakeholder's representative of the customer market (if possible) or seek broader representation (e.g. general public) in order to get deeper picture around the design problem.
For secondary research, you will be starting with library databases (finding industry articles, reports from IBIS Word, Marketline, etc. and all other industry documents), and Google Scholar (finding relevant peer-reviewed academic articles) and then collect a set of relevant peer
reviewed references which have examined the challenge to find out what we already know and the themes that are originating.
Note: The tools covered within secondary and primary research will be discussed during class, so it is very important that you as that will help you to understand how each tool is applied.
Following this, you will conduct a brief thematic analysis of the data. Having completed the research, you must now synthesise the data collected, identify the key findings (themes) and write a summary. Support your thematic analysis with illustrative quotes/evidence from your primary research.
The following structure is recommended for your report:
• Cover page
• Executive Summary
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
o Introduction of the industry partner (with facts and references).
o Statement of initial problem or issue.