Design Research Dissertation: All Tasks and Weekly Reflections
25/4/2025
ALTAIFI, LEEN MAAN A (0367698)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media, Taylor's University
Design Research Dissertation
Table of Content
- Task 1: Research Dissertation Draft
- Task 2: Visual Design Publication
- Task 3: Final Research Dissertation
- Task 4: KREATE Research for Article Publication
2. Feedback
3. Reflections
1. Instructions & Tasks
Module Information Booklet
Task 1: Research Implementation - Draft Dissertation
We are required to utilise primary and secondary data to write an in depth evaluation, no less than 7000 words, that critically analyses and discusses their research problem and arrives at a conclusion. The contents of the dissertation are as follows:
• Acknowledgements
• Abstract
• Table of Contents page
• Introduction to the dissertation
o Research Rational, Research Theme/Topic and Research
Problem
o Problem statement
o Research objectives
o Research questions
o Research Conceptual Framework Diagram
• Literature review
• Research Methodology
• Results/ Findings
• Analysis and discussion
• Conclusion
• Project Recommendation / Future Research
• Reference list
• Picture credit list
• Appendices (sample interview questions and questionnaire
questions)
Task 1: Research Dissertation Draft PDF Submission
Task 2: Visual Design Publication
Students are to design the publication of the dissertation. The concept of the publication must be relevant to the research topic. Since the e- publication format is expected, page layout, publication size, font, font size, are predetermined by the lecturer. Best to keep at A5 size in case the programme requires printing them in hardcopy format for any future audit or MQA accreditation process purpose.
Visual Design Publication PDF Submission
Visual Design Publication HTML5 Submission
Task 3: Final Dissertation and Turnitin Submission
Task 4: Research for Article Publication
2. Feedback
Week 1:
We were briefed on the module and were assigned advisors. We introduced ourselves and each of us summarized what they had done in research methodology in order for the lecturer to get an idea of our topics.
Week 2:
The first week of consultation started, i showed my previous tasks in research methodology so that the lecturer can confirm whether the objectives and research questions need any improvements, and progress in the dissertation writing draft. She had mentioned that the term "persuasive UI/UX design features" needs to be worked on in my title because it may not be an official term for the specific features I am addressing. And that research questions should come before research objectives. Additionally, in one of my research objectives, i used the word 'exploitative', which has bias, so I should avoid using such words unless the research is objectively confirming it.
Week 3:
The lecturer couldn't spend much time consulting, but I asked her whether or not 'persuasive UI/UX design' is still valid to use despite not being a standardized term but used in academic articles. She suggested it's better I rephrase into 'persuasive features on UI/UX design'. And she gave me a list of key persuasive elements for UI/UX, grounded in behavior design, psychology, and usability principles I can use as guidance for my research. I need to define my topic more and continue working on the literature review.
Week 4:
The lecturer gave me a lot of important and critical feedback on my literature review, and the structure of my dissertation. I also needed to title the paragraphs more accurately and to refer to existing articles for reference. She also noted that 3 articles for the literature is not enough for a proper dissertation, therefore I need to cite more studies, and how the studies relate/agree/disagree with one another.
Week 5:
I showed the lecturer my work for consultation, I had written more on the literature review part, and referenced more studies. She gave me feedback on of the sub sections in the literature review; in one of the paragraphs, it talked about a specific topic with a title, however it only cited one study. For it to be a sub-section, it must cite at least 3 studies, so that needs revision. Other than that, I was told I have good progress.
Week 6:
The lecturer gave me critique on my research framework, and pointed out the meaning of 'mediating variables' and to ensure if it is used accurately in my case. If not, then it needs revision. Additionally, she corrected my chapter 3 & 4 formatting; i needed to put my findings in chapter 4, and work backwards from there. Meaning, in chapter 3, it should cover the process of making the questionnaire and the recruitment process.
Week 7:
This was the last week of consultation before submitting task one, so the lecturer gave me her final review. Although my work wasn't complete yet, i still needed the feedback. I had to clean up the raw data from the survey rewrite the title of the data analysis, it shouldn't have the questions themselves, it should be statements/findings.
Week 8:
(public holiday)
Week 9:
The lecturer said my color choices and typography were okay, but as for the book cover, she said it needs revision because it may be misleading; the cover design looks more like it could be related to neural networks rather than social media and psychology.
Week 10:
The lecturer mentioned that the design was not fully cohesive. The sudden shift from dark mode to light mode was too abrupt and took away from the visual experience. I should either stick to one color theme or ease the transition somehow.
Week 11:
The lecturer said the dissertation was okay and good for submission.
Week 12:
The lecturer told me to focus on 2 research objectives instead of 3, so that the content could be simplified for the article, since the dissertation content is too long for it to all fit in the article
Week 13:
The lecturer told me to add more figures in the findings and discussions to help visualize the data, other than that, just more revisions to finalize the article.
3. Reflections
Weekly Progress & Reflections Sheet PDF
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