Examination arrangement

Course content

The aim of this course is to extend the knowledge about scientific and theoretical approaches used in product design research. Key abilities that students should practice are: 1) Choosing, defining and refine a research topic for further scientific study, 2) Using scientific research methodologies related to product design research, 3)Selecting, reviewing and interpreting relevant literature, and deriving implications for future research, 4) Writing a scientific review article in English.

The course set up requires students to select and refine a theme, and discuss with an assigned IPD supervisor approaches towards writing a scientific review article.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The course has provided the candidates with a theoretical specialization related to product design. Students have improved their knowledge on how to read, exploit and write scientific literature.

Skills: The candidates are able to write an academic essay (in English)using the insights gained from article writing exercise, literature studies and method choices.

General competence: Candidates can write a scientific paper related to design research. Candidates can organise and execute an independent project, and can organise supervision from relevant teachers according to their needs.

Learning methods and activities

Main literature study, supervision meetings, and article writing. A library course is offered at the beginning of the autumn semester, as well as a plenary lecture to support scientific article writing. It is expected that students work very independently, but are very welcome to organise a systematic supervision rutine with a chosen supervisor and/or the responsible teacher.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

The subject is compulsory for Industrial Design students, who should be finished with their fourth year courses, although one or two missing grades can be acceptable. It is advised that the course is taken in the same semester as TPD4500 by Industrial Design students; however both courses can also be taken consecutively (TPD4505 first).

Industrial Ecology students can choose this course as an elective individual course in their 3rd semester.

Course materials

Defined individually.

Credit reductions