As we progress towards writing our thesis for this Semester on a topic of our choice, we have been introduced to ways of approaching this outcome of research through a methodical process. While initially, seemingly tedious, it helps put into perspective our goals, aims and objectives of why we are writing this paper. It also puts into perspective our selected references and citations as we sieve through the gathered links, books, references to assess the validity of the collected information.

Even today, unlike art, design has in comparision lesser research work that has been done. Research has always been viewed as something that is done in the dark recesses of a library where one is pouring over hundreds of books, literature, references etc. There is a  need for grounded resources, those that help back up what is being said in research papers. Most research writing is based on reflective experiences rather than facts or specific data that has been gathered about that particular piece of information. [1]

Tools and systems like Concept Maps, CRAAP Test, Annotated Bibliography, Literary Review leading to the final research paper certainly helps to put the entire extensive process into perspective not only for the researcher/writer but also for the reader/assessor. It is getting to the stage where all these requirements become second nature and what one concentrates on is the research paper itself, is a state towards which all of us who may be new to this system, aspire to.

“Research where the end product is an artefact-where the thinking is, so to speak, embodied in the artefact, where the goal is not primarily communicable knowledge in the sense of verbal communication, but in the sense of visual or iconic or imagistic communication.” – Christopher Frayling, 1993/4 [2]

As I key in my final thoughts at the end of Unit 3, I must say that the process to finally get to a cohesive Concept Map was initially a daunting task as I went through several attempts until finally, with the help of the course facilitator, I reached a semblance of logical approach to the map, being able to put down all possible directions that I could explore in the thesis. Its all been a very systematic approach to writing the final paper, so that when we actually get down to it, we have everything that we need with us, leaving us to concentrate on how best to put together the final thesis paper.

As Albert Einstein said, If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? [3]

[1] http://old.nabble.com/Research-Into,-By,-and-For-Design-td19592081.html

[2] http://folksonomy.co/?permalink=687

[3] http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/research.html