(February 2011) Designers designing research: what methods do you choose?

Thursday February 24, 2010
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Accelerator Centre
Meeting Room #2
295 Hagey Blvd., Waterloo
[Map]

Event description

How do you know which design research method is the “right one” for your project? This month, sociologist and design researcher Dr. Sam Ladner will discuss how research methodologists go about answering that question. Designers rarely get to study research methodology in design school or on the job, so this session will give you the tools to think through research design options. Sam will also discuss a recent research proposal involving the use of mobile phones and how she came to recommend a particular research direction. Designers who are tired of the “how many people did you talk to” question will love this session!

Video introduction

About the speaker

Sam Ladner, PhD, is founder and principal consultant with Copernicus Consulting Group. She uses a range of social research methods including interviewing, observation, ethnography, and survey research. She consults Fortune 1000 companies on digital product design, organizational change, and the social aspects of technological innovation. She also trains and mentors designers, marketers, and account planners on research methodology. She has consulted companies including Citibank, Dell, GSK, VeriSign and Genentech. She is currently teaching in the graduate program at the Ontario College of Art and Design. She holds a PhD in sociology from York University. Follow Sam on Twitter.

Register today

This event is free, but we ask that you please register so we can predict turnout.