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Hi Ben, I agree with Ken's position that design research necessarily requires many different research methods associated with different perspectives on situations being researched. The 'methodology' terminology is problematic - in part because the term methodology is widely used (in the UK and Australia at least) to mean 'a collection of related methods'. As Ken suggests, it is probably helpful to avoid this meaning. I've used it this way several times and felt it made my analyses messy. For me, the main issue in research methods is with making coherent theory, rather than that all research methods must be epistemologically equivalent. I feel comfortable when a researcher takes a single position in the research and in theory building, but their position might draw on all sorts of research methods. I've found it helpful thinking about research to separate 'making theory' from other aspects of research. This leaves most of the other parts of research as 'information gathering', and in this role, it doesn't matter how information is gathered (i.e. by what research method - including simply observing, reading, or getting it from a manufacturer's catalogue) providing there is clarity and transparency about how much it can be trusted, in what ways, and why. From memory, I think the reference you are looking for is: Dixon, J. R. (1989). 'On a research methodology towards a scientific theory of design'. In S. L. Newsome & W. R. Spillers & S. Finger (Eds.), 'Design Theory '88'. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. (I don't have a copy to hand to check). I'm inclined to think that 'design' is still pretty pre-theoretical. The core terminology and concepts are still not clearly and fully defined and epistemologically well-justified, and are used in many different ways that are conflatory and confusing - and often confabulated. I appreciate the claim that diversity adds richness - but its not so helpful in developing trustable theory that is as unambigous as possible. Best wishes, Terry _________________________ Dr Terence Love Love Design & Research GPO Box 226 Quinns Rocks Western Australia 6030 Tel & Fax: +61 (0)8 9305 7629 Email: [log in to unmask] www.love.com.au ABN: 75 335 207 165 _________________________