RESEARCH SKILLS FOR DESIGN HUM101

Otherwise know as Design Process

What does design research look like? It sounds like a lot of work, can’t I just get to the creative part?

Research as part of the Design Process

“The first step in any good design project is to research the problem or opportunity. Research will enable evidence-based decision making by showing what works and what doesn't, what protocols or other context will affect decisions, and what approach was taken by best practice examples.

No good design project would begin without a period of in-depth research to generate incisive and actionable findings. Since good design projects will always have the user at the center, ethnographic and qualitative research techniques, that put learning more about people, how they behave and why they behave the way they do, are an important part of design research.”

- Design Council, United Kingdom

What Does Your Design Process Look like?

Are there was that you can your process quicker, better, and easier?

What is Copyright?Full Definition of COPYRIGHT: the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute the matter and form of something (as a literary, musical, or artistic work)

Merriam-Webster Dictionary http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copyright

How can my design process protect me?

Why is Copyright or Copyright Infringement Important for you?

Why is Copyright or Copyright Infringement Important for you?

Does the library have anything research for my HUM101 class assignment?

• EBSCOhost databases• Academic Search Premier

• Credo Reference

• Library Catalog

Does the library have anything research for my major or can I just use google?

• Resources by Major Sheets

• The Internet, Google, Wikipedia can be risky

…why?

Let’s compare the twoLibrary Databases The Internet or Wikipedia

Paid for by the library so that you can have free access to scholarly information.

Instructors may fail you for an assignment

Some resources are free, but others require you to pay for them.

Content is evaluated for authority and accuracy. Information is not evaluated for accuracy and may be incorrect, misleading, or biased.

Information is stable. Websites come and go.

Through Subject Pages it is easy to find databases that relate specifically to your topic (and get connected to an expert if you need guidance).

The internet is a vast sea of information with no organization.

Library databases offer options to quickly limit or expand your search to find the articles you need.

A search engine (like Google) often returns an overwhelming number of results with no quick way to narrow them down or ensure they relate to your topic.

Net neutrality

How to determine if the information you find is usable in your paper?

There are five criteria to look for in a source or website:

•Purpose

•Authority

•Reliability/Objectivity•Currency

•Accuracy/Coverage

Web Site Domains

Reliable web site domains include:

.edu (educational site).gov (government site).org (non-profit organization site) Be careful to

evaluate .orgs very closely!

Unreliable web site domains include:

.com (commercial site – may contain biased or non-authoritative information).net (network site)

If you have any questions or need help locating

resources,etc. Please feel free to contact me.

Jennifer CoxLibrarian

jacox@aii.edu or 503-382-4829