Emergence as a Feature of Practice-based Design Research
William Gaver, Peter Gall Krogh, Andy Boucher, David Chatting
Abstract
Practice-based design research is often emergent. Methods, tactics, goals and even topics can unfold and change as researchers adapt and learn in the course of their projects. This adaptability is one of the strengths of design as an approach to research, but it seems to contradict assumptions about research as a systematic, inquiry-led investigation. This leads to a tension in practicing and reporting research that we unpack here, before making a series of suggestions for practice-based researchers and reviewers about how to better navigate emergence when pursuing, reporting and evaluating practice-based design research.
Topics & Concepts
AdaptabilityComputer scienceFeature (linguistics)Research designEngineering ethicsManagement scienceData scienceKnowledge managementEngineeringSociologyManagementEconomicsSocial scienceLinguisticsPhilosophyInnovative Human-Technology InteractionPersona Design and ApplicationsInformation Systems Theories and Implementation