Hello, I am a research student and about to wrap up my work. This is a timely discussion for me because I am exactly in the same situation. My research is related to collaborative problem-solving support. To be precise, I am working on a 'system' (synchronous/same time-same place) for knowledge capture, management, and ussage to support collaborative problem solving and also support related dynamics such as rationale of the session and shared-understanding of the problem/perspectives. Now, I have proposed data structure/ process flow/architecture/interactions etc. I get in to trouble when I like to test the system. I have been using low-fidility prototypes (paper-based) and results are always dealt with a sense of doubt. I will appreciate any views or directions to clear my confusion. Regards, Nishchal> Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:06:19 +0800> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [IxDA Discuss] Design Masters Thesis & Extent of Realization> > Hi Jack,> > I did my Masters by research actually, and I thought I would provide> my 2 cents. ;P> > The question in my view is not about a finished product ready to be> launched and used, as that goes beyond the research area, and involves> other items that are more inline to business.> > It all depends on the expectations and purpose of the thesis. Usually> it is bring you through the process of research and second your> research questions.> > > >From a process perspective, a theory only research would do, no need> to proof practically if your research is applicable.> > >From a research standpoint, the question is has the thesis questions> been answered using the work that has been created.> > I would think you would need to create a prototype that can show how> it can and will be used and how it answers your questions you started> out with.> > But, without a usable prototype it would be hard to show how your> research can help and does solve the questions.> > But I have read a lot of research papers which are very much theory> based without any practical implementations or minimal emphasis on> them.> > Regards,> > Jay Kumar> > On 12/13/07, Jack Moffett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:> > I took part yesterday in a Thesis Committee meeting for a student> > working on a project for her Masters degree in design. She is> > designing a website with the purpose of facilitating a community for> > female cancer victims. There was a fair amount of discussion> > surrounding how far she must take the project to be granted the> > degree. There were faculty members on the committee from other visual> > arts disciplines, and they expect a thesis project to result in a> > finished work of art. There was some discomfort in the suggestion that> > the website would not have to be implemented and put into use for her> > to complete her thesis and her degree.> >> > While the student very much wants to build and launch the site and is> > working on getting the sponsorship/funding and collaborators with the> > necessary skill sets to make it a reality, it is my own opinion that> > her thesis is much more about the process she followed and what she> > has learned than it is about the final artifact. I and the other> > design faculty argued that as long as the design was completed> > satisfactorily, she could deliver her thesis and receive her degree> > before implementation has finished.> >> > I know that when I was working on my own Masters degree, there was no> > expectation that my project would result in running software. With the> > advances in web application development in recent years, and with> > technologies such as Ruby on Rails and Flash making "running software"> > a more accessible possibility to those without a degree in soft ware> > engineering, I wonder if expectations are increasing.> >> > I'd like to hear what the IxDA community thinks about it.> >> > Best,> > Jack> >> >> >> > Jack L. Moffett> > Interaction Designer> > inmedius> > 412.459.0310 x219> > http://www.inmedius.com> >> >> > There is no good design that is not> > based on the understanding of people.> >> > - Stefano Marzano> > CEO of Philips Design> >> > ________________________________________________________________> > *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah*> > February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA> > Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/> >> > ________________________________________________________________> > Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)!> > To post to this list ....... 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