Design Research Dissertation | Final Compilation

|| Tee Zi Tong, 0366165

|| Design Research Dissertation | Final Compilation 

|| Week 1 - Week 14

INSTRUCTIONS

FINAL COMPILATION

Task 1: Dissertation Draft

Task 2: Visual Design Publication

Task 3: Final Dissertation

Task 4: Research For Article Publication

FEEDBACK

REFLECTION

I find it difficult, yet incredibly gratifying, to complete this research work both in the initial proposal up to the very journal article. Initially I chose to review the multisensory design influences memory and involvement in games since I am a fan of the immersive stuff, although I did not understand how to conduct a valid academic study. Taking all steps of the tasks I learnt not only about the topic, but also such important skills as how to design studies, think critically and write in academic style.

The most significant thing I acquired was how to convert my big interest into a succinct research question. Initially I was not able to reduce this to a handful, but by formulating the problem statement and questions I was able to determine the area of gaps in the research. The entire study was based on that focus. The critical reviews also forced me to do more than just recap articles by forcing me to analyze methods, limits and their relevance to my own work. I understood that a good literature review does not simply give an account of what other people researched, it makes strong argument of why your work is important.

It was an eye-opener to actually be exposed to the survey and the mini-experiment. The transition between the theory and the real life was surprising. It was a little more complicated than I had imagined recruiting people and writing non-biased and clear questions. The appearance of the mixed results, when players enjoyed Visual + Audio but showed better results with Visual + Haptic made me wonder what to make out of data. It helped me realize that data is not simply facts, you need to wonder why something appears to be the way it is.

Converting the entire dissertation into a brief journal article was akin to working out on junk cutting and making it simple. I was forced to sacrifice some of the cool extras that were irrelevant and get down to the point the difference between what people believe they are feeling and how they actually are doing it, the means by which I gauged synergy, and the giant issue of overload. It made me realize that it is about not only trying to reduce what is unnecessary but also putting in what is appropriate in academic writing.

Ultimately, I have a different view of things being a design student. Multisensory stuff is not merely a glamorous appearance, but can be a powerful brain device that when utilized with integrity and properly, will transform how individuals will play the game, recollect it and feel about it. What comes out most is about balance that it is not the explosion to turn everything on but having to create something that is not only cool but also leaves in your head and comfortable to the player.

On the whole, this study has been a crash course. It provided me with an excellent collection of research instruments and a more rational and evidence-based approach to work, which I will apply to all my future school assignments and creative work.