People-centered design research

Research practice involves being a multi-professional: a social scientist, a designer, an economist; an artist, and an engineer. Traditional boundaries between the design researcher and the design practitioner are increasingly blurred to the point of being so interdependent on each another they are now one and the same.

Students have the opportunity to conduct their research projects in either qualitative, quantitative, or a blended methods including tactile learning or kinaesthetics–a method of research learning takes place by carrying out physical activities and scenario building through role play, and sensory–visual, aural and haptic forms.

Research theory

People-centered design research draws on theory from anthropology and the social science to explore how knowledge for understanding, knowledge for critical evaluation, knowledge for action, and knowledge for training can inform design to produce information that’s been interpreted through analysis, for example Grounded Theory Methodology, towards an inherent truth.

Research ethics

DSA research activity is conducted through the lens of social engagement that benefits society by working with the public, and for the public. All research projects are evaluated for ethical considerations with clear standards of professional conduct that include fairness, avoiding conflict of interest, informed consent, and avoiding prejudice before participant recruitment and fieldwork commences.