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Dear Cigdem, To develop a methodological program does not imply a fixed method. One of the problems of vocabulary today is the confusion between [1] method and [2] methodology. Method is how to do something. Research methods are the ways that we do research. Methodology is the study of method. Research methodology is the study of research methods. A methodological program is a systematic program that studies different research methods. Methodology and the concept of a methodological program do not mean a program of fixed methods, but a comparative study of many methods. Mautner (1996: 267) defines methodology as “1. The discipline which investigates and evaluates methods of inquiry, of validation, of teaching, etc. 2. a theory within that discipline. Note that methodology is about method and not the same as method.” Bunge (1999: 178) distinguishes between method, as “a regular and well-specified procedure for doing something: an ordered sequence of goal-directed operations” and methodology as “the study of methods. The normative branch of epistemology; a knowledge technology. Often confused with method, as in “the methodology used in the present research.” To speak of a methodological program as a “fixed methodology” grows from this confusion. The repertoire of methods in any living field is always growing and developing.Since methodology studies method, there cannot be a “fixed methodology.” The comparative study of method presumes that some methods exist, but methodology implies no choice among existing methods. The situation is quite the contrary. Methodological sophistication leads to appropriate choices among methods. It can also lead researchers to develop and apply new methods. A term that is rarely used in our field is “methodics.” This is the “collection of methods employed in a research field. Not to be confused with methodology.” (Bunge 1999: 179) Methodics is the comprehensive repertoire of research methods available to a field. Given the wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary possibilities of research in design, themethodics of this area is immense rather than fixed. Kari’s post addresses the comparative and systemic study of a range of methods within the methodics of design and design research. This fact establishes the precise reason behind the importance of methodology – the comparative study of research methods. One must compare alternatives to choose among them. One must therefore distinguish between comparative study of methods and the specific study and training in any one method. None of us can master all the methods required in any field. The lack of general methodological knowledge is a serious problem in design research and in research training courses in design. Kari argues that the time has come for richer and more systematic studies of research methods. One advantage of terms such as “constructive research” and “generative research” is that they cover research methods that involve making and building things without the confusion that often conflates the terms “practice-based research” or “practice-led research” with “practice-as-research.” Kari’s post suggests a system study of methods that will enable us to understanding and use the range of research methods open to us. This is a methodological program, a systematic, comparative research program on research methods. Yours, Ken Professor Ken Friedman, PhD, DSc (hc), FDRS | University Distinguished Professor | Swinburne University of Technology | Melbourne, Australia | [log in to unmask] | Phone +61 3 9214 6102 | http://www.swinburne.edu.au/design -- References Bunge, Mario. 1999. The Dictionary of Philosophy. Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books. Mautner, Thomas. 1996. A dictionary of philosophy. Oxford: Blackwell. -- Cigdem Kaya wrote: --snip-- Why do we need a fixed methodology for doing research through design activity? --snip-- ----------------------------------------------------------------- PhD-Design mailing list <[log in to unmask]> Discussion of PhD studies and related research in Design Subscribe or Unsubscribe at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/phd-design -----------------------------------------------------------------