2.2.2 - Secondary Research Techniques
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Literature Review Techniques
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Today, we'll discuss how to conduct a literature review. This involves finding academic papers related to your design problems. Why do you think literature reviews are important?
I think they help us understand what's already been discovered.
Exactly! And what do you think we should include in our summaries of these papers?
We should mention their purpose, methodology, and findings.
Right. Remember the acronym P-M-F: Purpose, Methodology, Findings. Can someone give an example of how we might summarize a paper?
If a paper studies user satisfaction in mobile apps, weβd mention its goal of understanding user needs and how they gathered their data.
Great example! Always keep it conciseβno more than 150 words. In summary, literature reviews are valuable for synthesizing existing research.
Industry Reports Analysis
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Next, let's look at industry reports. What do you think we need to consider when analyzing them?
We should check how recent the data is and how big the sample size is.
Right! We also need to think about potential biases. For instance, if a report is published by a company selling products, how might that influence their findings?
They might exaggerate positive data about their products.
Exactly. Itβs crucial to approach data critically. Can anyone tell me why this *critical analysis* is crucial for our design work?
It helps us make more informed design decisions based on reliable data.
Perfect! Always analyze data criticallyβthis ensures our designs meet user needs effectively.
Conducting Competitive Analysis
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Now, letβs delve into competitive analysis. What do you think it means, and why might it be useful?
Itβs about looking at similar products and seeing what they do well or poorly.
Exactly! By creating a feature-performance table, you can visually compare multiple products. What features do you think we should compare?
Usability and features, definitely. Also price would be important!
Great point! Price is critical for positioning. Remember to also analyze customer support for a holistic view. How might this competitive perspective inform your designs?
It could help us identify gaps in the market that our products can fill.
Absolutely! A competitive analysis can guide you to create innovative solutions that resonate with your target users.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
Students will learn various secondary research techniques, including literature reviews, industry reports, and competitive analyses. Through understanding these methods, they will enhance their ability to gather relevant information that aids in informed design decisions.
Detailed
Detailed Summary
In today's design and analysis context, secondary research techniques play a crucial role in acquiring relevant information and insights. This section focuses on three main methods:
- Literature Review: Students will learn to identify academic research papers relevant to their design problems or objectives. They will gain experience in writing concise summaries that cover the papers' purposes, methodologies, findings, and limitationsβa necessary skill to synthesize existing knowledge in the field.
- Industry Reports: Understanding how to extract key statistics from industry reports is essential. Students will analyze the data's credibility, considering factors such as the publication date, sample size, and potential biases that may affect the validity of the information.
- Competitive Analysis: This technique involves examining competing products to understand their strengths and weaknesses through a feature-performance table. By systematically evaluating these competitors, students can benchmark their designs effectively and make informed decisions that meet user needs.
By practicing these secondary research techniques, students develop the necessary analytical skills to contextualize their designs in the larger market landscape, ultimately becoming more effective and informed designers.
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Literature Review
Chapter 1 of 3
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Chapter Content
β Literature Review: Identify 3 academic papers; write 150-word summaries covering purpose, methodology, findings, and limitations.
Detailed Explanation
The literature review is a vital part of secondary research. In this method, you select three academic papers relevant to your topic. For each paper, you're expected to summarize the purpose, methodology, findings, and limitations within a 150-word limit. This process helps you understand existing work in your field, allowing you to build upon it or highlight gaps that your research can fill.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a literature review like a movie trailer. Just as a trailer gives you a glimpse of a movie's plot, acting, and reviews, a literature review provides a snapshot of what the academic papers say, how they were done, what they found, and what issues they may have. This helps you decide if you want to watch the full filmβor in this case, dive deeper into your own research.
Industry Reports
Chapter 2 of 3
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Chapter Content
β Industry Reports: Extract 5 key statistics (e.g., app adoption rates) and critique each for date, sample size, and potential bias.
Detailed Explanation
Industry reports are documents created by research organizations, analyzing current trends within a particular industry. By extracting five key statistics from these reports, you gain valuable insights into market behaviors or preferences. However, you must also examine each statistic carefully for its recency (date), the size and diversity of the sample from which it was drawn, and any biases that might have influenced the findings. This critical evaluation ensures that the information you use in your own research is relevant and reliable.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine youβre at a restaurant that has received a highly rated review online. Before you dive in, you might want to consider who reviewed it. If a chef wrote the review, their opinion may be less biased than that of a random diner. Similarly, while statistics from industry reports can be useful, knowing where they come from, how recent they are, and the diversity of the sources behind them will help ensure you're making an informed decision about the information's validity.
Competitive Analysis
Chapter 3 of 3
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Chapter Content
β Competitive Analysis: Select 4 competitor products. Create a feature-performance table highlighting strengths/weaknesses under Usability, Features, Price, Support.
Detailed Explanation
In competitive analysis, you select four competing products within the same market to review. By creating a feature-performance table, you can explicitly compare these products across several criteria: usability (how easy they are to use), features (what functionalities they offer), price (the cost to the consumer), and support (the help options available). This structured approach allows you to perform a systematic comparison and identify areas where your product might excel or lack compared to the competition.
Examples & Analogies
Consider shopping for a new phone. You would likely compare different models based on features like camera quality, battery life, and price. A competitive analysis works in a similar wayβby laying out a table, you can visually see which 'phone' (or product) has the upper hand in various aspects. This methodical approach helps you make an informed decision and strategize effectively for your own product development.
Key Concepts
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Literature Review: A systematic analysis of scholarly articles relevant to a topic.
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Industry Reports: Documents that provide insights into specific sectors based on research.
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Competitive Analysis: Evaluation of competitors to identify market gaps.
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Data Credibility: The trustworthiness of information based on its source and quality.
Examples & Applications
Example of a literature review summary could reference a study on user behavior in mobile applications, outlining the research design and key findings.
An industry report summary might highlight changing trends in app usage due to emerging technologies such as AR and VR.
A competitive analysis might show how a new app offers unique features that existing apps lack, enhancing user engagement.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
For research to shine, literature review must align, with purpose, method, and findings true, it'll help you navigate through!
Stories
Imagine you're a detective on a quest to understand user behavior through past casesβthis represents conducting a literature review, where earlier studies guide your search for new insights.
Memory Tools
Remember PMF for literature reviews: Purpose, Methodology, Findings!
Acronyms
RACβReports, Analyze, Credibility for understanding industry reports effectively.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Literature Review
A systematic examination of existing academic research papers relevant to a specific topic or area.
- Industry Report
An analysis document that provides insights, statistics, and trends relevant to particular industries.
- Competitive Analysis
A strategic assessment comparing a company's product or service with its competitors in order to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Data Credibility
The degree to which data and information can be trusted, based on its source, accuracy, and timeliness.
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