Dear Maryam
let's think about it together, ok!? but before we start, i would very
much like to acknowledge the heavy weight researchers and practionars in
user study and design methods (processes) in general who are on the
list. if i say anything wrong, for the sake maryam and me, please
correct me.
i don't know much about the austrialian master-phd in design. so you
must take this fact into account when you consider what i say, ok?
1 Given it is a master project (i assume about 1 year to complete?) i
would suggest a textbook:
Press, Mike and Rachel Cooper. 2003. The Design Experience: The Role of
Design and Designers in the Twenty-First Century. Hants: Ashgate
Publishing Limited.
Mike and Rachel have written a very informative book on the current
product design practice in the UK if not in the world, aiming for
students in art and design. in the book, you will find many relevant
references to user study which are otherwise difficult to locate.
(design conference/symposium proceedings are not very well indexed...
another problem we have to sort out as a research community). and it is
just lovely to read because you read about people you know, like Chris
Rust.
2 User study is a high-profile topic and there are many new techniques
and tools developed in recent years. but on the level of principle and
fundamental assumption, in my opinion, nothing has been advanced or
changed (that much) ever since John Chris Jones has spoken. must read
this classic:
Jones, John C. 1992. Design Methods: Seeds of Human Futures. New York:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
3 Since you are interested in doing a phd, i would recommend to get
familar with the history of the design method movement. quick read will
be
Cross, N. 1993. "A History of Design Methodology." Design Methodology
and Relationships With Science (Eindhoven, The Netherlands, M. J. de
Vries, N. Cross, and Grant D.P. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Broadbent, J. 2002. "Generations in Design Methodology." Common Ground.
Proceedings of the Design Research Society International Conference at
Brunel University, September 5-7, 2002. (Brunel University, Durling,
David//
Shackleton, John . Stoke on Trent: Stafford University Press.
4 Since you would like to work in academia, i suggest to read these
critical essays:
Buchanan, R. "Human Dignity and Human Rights: Thoughts on the
Priniciples of Human-Centered Design." Design Issues .
Gee, Marie. 1994. "Questioning the Concept of the 'User'." Journal of
Environmental Psychology 1994(14):113-24.
there are more to talk about. but later. oh yes, make sure that your
supervisor agrees with these suggestions. you won't get a degree if your
supervisor doesn't value what you are doing.... a hard fact of a
student's life.
rosan
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