MODELS, METHODOLOGY AND FINDING FOCUS: DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF PhD RESEARCH
DS 32: Proceedings of DESIGN 2004, the 8th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Year: 2004
Editor: Marjanovic D.
Author: Flanagan, T.L.; Jänsch, J.F.P.
Section: DESIGN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
Page(s): 297 - 302
Abstract
This paper discusses the summer school on engineering design research from a student perspective. The two-week course is aimed at postgraduate students who have completed 30-40% of their planned research duration. During the course, it became apparent that many design-research students encounter similar challenges. The course provided models and techniques aimed at clarifying the scope and contribution of the research work as well as research methodology to structure the PhD project. Lectures on design theory, advice from course leaders and overview gained from general discussions were also invaluable. We firmly believe that the course will strongly influence and improve our own research and that of the other students over the coming years.
Keywords: education, design theory, methodology