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28 April 2024
Useful tips for applying design-oriented research in your thesis
When conducting research and writing a thesis, more and more students are given the opportunity to choose between the 'traditional' thesis, in which you provide advice and/or implementation plan, or design-oriented research, in which you develop a concrete concept or product. Since design-oriented research works differently than writing a traditional thesis, in this article we offer tips and tools for conducting design-oriented research.
What is design-oriented research?
Design-oriented research, also known as design-based research (DBR) or design science research (DSR), is a research approach aimed at developing, evaluating and improving practical designs and solutions for complex problems. The steps from the design thinking cycle are often used in design-oriented research.
Differences with a 'standard' thesis
With design-oriented research, just like with a traditional thesis, you investigate the context to clarify and delineate the design question. You then concretize the objective based on your research objective and formulate the design question, exploring possible ideas and solutions.
When do you choose design-oriented research?
Design-oriented research is often applied in situations where innovative solutions to complex problems are required, such as developing or improving products, optimizing processes, and tackling social issues. Involving the target group and other stakeholders provides valuable input.
Is design-oriented research scientific?
Design-oriented research differs from traditional empirical research in that it focuses more on understanding complex problems, generating creative solutions and improving products, services or processes.
Content of your thesis for design-oriented research
In a design-oriented research you often describe the following components:
- Problem definition: This is a thorough analysis of the problem or challenge, often focused on the organizational problem you want to solve with the design.
- Design process: Description of the research, literature and theories used, idea collection, prioritization, prototyping, testing with users, and results.
- Reflection: You reflect on decisions and choices you have made. Some programs want your reflection in your main document and other programs ask for a separate reflection report. Check your organization's manual for this.
- Results: Description of designs/prototypes and observations/feedback from users.
- Advice: Recommendations for improvements and future steps based on the results.
- Literature and theory: Overview of relevant literature and theories, linked to the problem analysis, the design process and the results. Your source or bibliography list should of course also be included in your report and you must also cite the sources in the correct reference style. Read our tips for the APA reference style here.
Would you like to discuss your research?
Jouw Scriptiecoach has extensive experience in design-oriented research. We can also help you if you use Design Thinking or the Double-Diamond model as a design cycle. Make an appointment with one of our professionals for a free consultation if you need immediate help with your research.
Contact Jouw Scriptiecoach if you need immediate help with your thesis.
Do you need immediate help with your thesis? Then request a free consultation now. During the consultation, we look at how best we can help you and which supervisor would be most suitable for your subject. You’ll also receive an immediate estimate of the number of hours we’ll need to get you across the finish line. Then you can easily purchase the hours online, and once the payment has gone through, we immediately connect you to your thesis supervisor. They’ll contact you quickly (often on the same day) so that you can get back to working on your thesis as soon as possible.