COP3 - Level 6 Research introduction

Remaking theory, rethinking practice

The theory provides the basis with which to ask questions, not only about work but also through work. And if nothing else, what design lacks in terms of interesting is not necessarily more visual variety, but rather more provocative questions and polemical answers.' (Blauvelt in noble and Bestley, 20015:166_ 

• Turning practice into a critical lens
• Not just research through writing but investigated through making  
• Critical thinking and making skills are crucial for success

What COP3 isn't: 

• A dissertation 
• A dissertation with related piece of practical work 
• An academic module unrelated to studio concerns 
• The same on every course 

What COP3 is:

An academic module, designed to assess your intellectual engagement and theoretical understanding of your creative practice

Learning outcomes - 

• Knowledge and understanding

• Cognitive skills 

• Practical and professional skills 

• Critical understanding of synthesis between the theoretical and practical contexts of their own creative concerns. 

Considerations 

What research needs to be undertaken into general and specific contexts of your project? Research behind 

What approaches will you take and what processes, methods, materials and tools are to be involved in research into your project? research  in/through 

Methodology 

Method:  a way of proceeding about something in systematic or logical manner 

Methodology: the science of method, employed in a particular way 

A logical and predefined and systematic strategy by which to undertake a research project, including methods of evaluation, schedules and stated intentions. 

Some methodologies 

• Historical 
• Sociological
• Semiotic 
• Communication theory 
• Postcolonial 
• Psychoanalysis 
• Discourse analysis 
• Marxism 
• Post-marxism 
• Feminism 
• Queer theory 
• Gender studies 
• Reflective practice
• Empirical investigation 
• Hermeneutics 
• Data collection 
• Content analysis 
• Interviews 

Epistemology 

Developed from ancient Greek philosophy, how we think about something. Making a decision based on how we view the world, going out into it, making decisions to gain more informative knowledge.

What approaches will you take and what processes, methods, materials and tools are to be involved in research into your project? (research in/ through)

• Research conducted 'through' practice

• Thinking through doing 

• Reflective practice 

What preparation or investigations do you need to undertake for your research project to take place? (research for) 

How will you go about investigating my chosen subject? 

No I said "How"

Think about it...

Do you have to research into methods of research do you need 

Research into materials? 

How do you improve your research skills?

How do you maximise the effectiveness of your research? 

what research do you need to undertake regarding who your project is for? (research in front) Who is your research for? 

What professional contexts could your research be aimed at? 

What specific organisations could use your research and how? 

How would your tone of voice (visual or written) change if you targeted your research at a different audience? 

Resources 

Infotrac

- a store of online magazine articles 

JSTOR 

Athens 

- Acess to library's ebooks 

- a store to the library's e-books 

Google scholar 

some full-text PDF articles available