Formulating design research questions: A framework

This research note addresses the formulation of questions in design research. On the premise that well formulated research questions have far-reaching implications for other aspects of the development and impact of research, articulating quality research questions is an issue of the highest concern....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Design studies Vol. 78; p. 101062
Main Authors: Goldschmidt, Gabriela, Matthews, Ben
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2022
Subjects:
conceptual framework
design research
research methods
research questions
research methods
design research
research questions
conceptual framework
ISSN:0142-694X
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:This research note addresses the formulation of questions in design research. On the premise that well formulated research questions have far-reaching implications for other aspects of the development and impact of research, articulating quality research questions is an issue of the highest concern. In this note we propose a framework for the formulation of research questions, adapted from clinical research and tailored to empirical design research. The framework, RIN. AFE, pertains to criteria for effective research questions: on the substance side, Relevant, Interesting and Novel; on the methodological execution side, Appropriate, Feasible and Ethical. The application of this framework is demonstrated through an analysis of an award-winning Design Studies paper. • We propose a set of six characteristics of research questions.• Effective empirical design research questions are relevant, interesting, and novel.• Further characteristics pertain to method: appropriate, feasible and ethical.• Research questions have implications for other dimensions of the study.• Quality questions open new lines of inquiry for the field.
ISSN:0142-694X
DOI:10.1016/j.destud.2021.101062