1st Hand Research Plan

In order to gather information for the specific focus of this project, I put together a 1st hand research report, using Focus Group as my primary approach.

The following is some of the written content in my 1st Hand Research Plan:

1st Hand Research Plan

1.0 OBJECTIVES

To gather information relevant to development of modular unit design, dedicated for urban plantations in limited spaces. The focus is to acquire an adequate amount of knowledge towards different aspects of project development, including psychological factors, environmental factors, market analysis, production materials, and cultivation methods. The research plan is organized into primary and secondary research process, which focuses on acquiring different aspects of relevant information for this project.


2.0 INTENTION

2.1 Opportunity & Need

As global urbanization continues, a significant amount of population is gradually shifting to adapt towards urban lifestyles and living environments. The problematic issue of food security and sustainability call for vital change in people’s attitudes and lifestyles. The emerging opportunity is to dedicate research and information gathering on development of a design solution, catered to address this imminent problem.

The majority of existing precedents and previous efforts on this particular subject dedicate its focus on community development and large-scale changes. Therefore, research and solutions are often based on resources and capabilities of a collective community. However, this graduation project hopes to address this design problem starting from the individual level- to initiate small-scale of behavioural change, in order to build up collective awareness and efforts. As a result, research focus will be devoted to information gathering on the micro-level of the community population.

2.2 Explorations

Explorations will be employed on previous works and existing precedents to learn about potential design approaches. Also, research will emphasize on possible range of incorporations associate with users’ lifestyles and living spaces. For instance, what type of urban agriculture would be suitable and beneficial to the users, while addressing the project focus?

2.3 Descriptions & Predictions

In order to develop a practical and applicable design solution, one must establish an adequate amount of knowledge in regards to types of target populations. Observations and information gathering will also contribute in descriptions of user demographics, users’ environment restrictions, preferences, lifestyles, and behavioural patterns.

2.4 Evaluations

The objective is to acquire an understanding of aspects in psychological and motivational factors of the target users, dedicated to the focus of this particular project. This involves evaluations of behavioural patterns, living conditions, interaction methods, and individual preferences. Also, through information gathering process, the project focus will be evaluated for its validity and practicality of current need of target users.

3.2 Subject Focus

A). Cultivation Methods: Composting methods, Water collection system, Irrigation,
Ventilation methods

B). Agricultural Applications: Types of suitable plants, growth factors, use of fertilizers,
pesticides

C). Production Materials: Appropriate sustainable material options, local availability

D). Environmental Factors: Local weather conditions (Ex. humidity, temperature)

E). Market Studies: Social collective knowledge, conception, economic factors

F). Political Constraints: City bylaws, building regulations


4.0 Focus Group

To gather information from experts and target users for research, the use of focus groupwill be incorporated in the research process. The idea is to collaborate with experts inrelated fields for discussion, information inquiry, and project consultations.

A). Directed Discussions-

To intiate discussions on specific areas such as:
Individual needs, ways to incorporating urban agriculture, possible
implementation in living spaces, design requirements & desirable functionality

4.2 Setting

Gathering of 6-8 subjects with a range of expertise relevant to research focus (Ex. urban residents, agricultural industry professionals, sustainability experts, industrial designer, and interior designer) in a closed environment for an one hour session

4.3 Instrumentations

Tape Recorder
Notebook
Directed Discussion Topics

4.4 Procedures

1. Select list of individuals (6-8) for focus group research execution from contacts of professional experts, urban residents, and design professionals
   
2. Contact individuals to inform intentions, and schedule suitable session time for participants
3. Acquire permission of participants to record research session using electronic devices
4. List out relevant discussion topics for directed discussions
5. Execution of focus group research session
   
6. Review and combine information from focus group, interviews, and observations
7. Organize data into categories including professional expertise, user preferences, user behaviroual patterns, design criteria, design constraints, and environmental considerations
8. Data analyses, evaluation, and design brief development