Research Design for Games

This module tasks you with developing the contextual, theoretical, and practical foundation for an independent, applied research project, which you will tackle in DES404 Honours Project. You will evaluate existing texts and practice in support of your development of a project proposal that outlines your research questions and process.

By the end of this module the student should be able to:

1. Review and analyse key theories, existing literature, and exemplars of practice guided by an identified research topic.'
2. Design a research project that outlines appropriate methods and processes in response to an identified project aim and associated research questions.'
3. Demonstrate the ability to undertake, document, and communicate practical concept development and pre-production in support of a games research project proposal.

1 Understanding research'

You will learn how research is designed, including: development of a research topic and research questions, the importance of analysing existing literature and knowledge, and understanding how research methods lead to new knowledge that is of value to your discipline, field, and other beneficiaries.

2 Research in- and for- games'

You will learn about examples of research in the context of games, including both academic games research and how research is vital to professional game design and production.

3 Practice review'

Through analysis of the wider context of the proposed project, you will consider the state of the art in your field and aim to situate your practice in relation to existing games, art, and media

4 Literature review'

You will learn how to approach a review of literature and other authoritative sources relevant to your research questions and topic.

5 Research methods'

You will learn about common research methods applied in game design and production inquiry, and how methods of research link directly to research questions.

6 Practice-based research'

You will consider how research can be conducted through game design and production practice, and learn the importance of concept development, experimentation, and documentation. You will be encouraged and supported to frame and understand your research as a form of practice-based inquiry.

7 Quantitative and qualitative research for games'

Games research often connects to social research methods borrowed from other disciplines, for instance research that involves engaging with users, players, audiences, or other stakeholders. You will learn about quantitative and qualitative approaches to research, how and when to align these approaches with a practical approach to inquiry, and key considerations if considering a research design that involves data collection.

8 Research ethics and data management'

You will consider ethics in games research and professional practice, learn how to assess and manage risks, and develop an understanding of how to collect and manage data in line with legal responsibilities.

9 Research project management'

You will learn how to prepare an effective plan for the delivery of a major project, including clarifying the aim and objectives, outlining the major activities, listing potential deliverables, and accounting for project time and resources.

10 Research proposal'

Bringing together all the learning from the module, you will be supported to prepare and communicate your plan for research through development of a research proposal.