Unit 1: Research foundations
Design Process notes · PTU syllabus (BSTD 306-20)
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Unit summary
Design decisions are better when they rest on research. This unit explains the meaning of research, how to formulate a problem, the main research designs and sampling and data collection tools.
After this unit you can
- Define research and its significance in design and business
- Formulate a research problem
- Distinguish exploratory, descriptive, diagnostic and experimental designs
- Select sampling and data collection tools
PTU syllabus topics
- Meaning and significance of research in business decision-making
- identification and formulation of a research problem
- research designs (exploratory, descriptive, diagnostic, experimental)
- sampling and data collection tools
- 1
Research
Problem, users, market
- 2
Inspiration and theme board
- 3
Colour palette
- 4
Initial concepts
Sketches
- 5
Material exploration
Swatches, surfaces
- 6
Final concept and product
- 7
Presentation
Topic 1
Research and the research problem
Research is a systematic search for knowledge to solve a problem. In design it informs trends, customer needs, materials and pricing.
- 1
Identify the problem
- 2
Review existing information
- 3
Choose the research design
- 4
Collect data
- 5
Analyse data
- 6
Report findings
A good problem statement is clear, specific, measurable and worth solving; for example, 'Which colours do women aged 20–30 prefer for kurtas in the festive season?'
Topic 2
Research designs
| Design | Purpose | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Exploratory | Explore an unfamiliar problem and form ideas | Interviews, secondary data, observation |
| Descriptive | Describe who, what, when and how many | Surveys, questionnaires |
| Diagnostic | Find the causes of a problem | Case studies, comparisons |
| Experimental | Test cause and effect | Controlled trials with test and control groups |
Topic 3
Sampling and data collection
A sample is a small group chosen to represent the whole population. Random samples give every person an equal chance; convenience samples use whoever is easily available.
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Questionnaire | Structured questions for many respondents |
| Interview | Detailed individual views |
| Observation | Watching behaviour in shops or events |
| Focus group | Group discussion with 6–10 people |
| Secondary data | Reports, magazines, websites |
Error falls quickly at first and then slowly; very large samples rarely add much accuracy
Key terms
- Research
- Systematic study to solve a problem
- Population
- Whole group studied
- Sample
- Part of the population studied
- Questionnaire
- Set of questions
- Primary data
- Fresh data collected for the study
Quick revision
- Research designs: exploratory, descriptive, diagnostic, experimental.
- Tools: questionnaire, interview, observation, focus group.
- Sample should represent the population.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.Define research.
- Q2.What is a sample?
- Q3.What is exploratory research?
- Q4.Name two data collection tools.
- Q5.What is a focus group?
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain the research process with a design example.
- Q2.Describe the four research designs.
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