A phenomenographic study of students’ conceptions of formal research procedures

In view of the current inadequacies of design research, a group of art and design researchers have urged for alternative research methodologies, which is challenged by opposing views that a formal research structure and a rigorous research should similarly be applied to design research. To address these divergent views, this paper aims to explore the potential use of formal research procedures in design research. This study uses the phenomenography method as the basis of its research design. Focusing on visual communication studies at undergraduate level, this paper is a documentation of the development and implementation of the formal research procedures on eighteen design research proposals. It shares the insight on how students experience, understand, perceive or conceptualize various aspects of design research. The findings have affirmed aspects of formal research procedures and represent a first step in explaining the different ways in which visual communication students conceive design research.