Designer's Guide to Creating Research Reports
Design research is a critical piece of any design thinking process, as it provides designers with valuable insights and data to drive decision making. If you’re like me, conducting your own research can be hard. Trying to figure out how to craft a research report that effectively communicates findings to stakeholders is even more challenging. In this playbook, we will explore the key elements that should be included in a report, enabling you to present your findings in a clear, concise, and impactful manner.
Anatomy of a Research Report
Objectives and Scope
Methodology
Participants
Research Artifacts and Analysis
Findings and Insights
Recommendations
Next Steps
Starter template that you can leverage
Research Objectives and Scope
Begin the research report by clearly stating the objectives and scope of the study. Explain the problem you aimed to address, the questions you sought to answer, and the specific aspects of the design process the research focuses on. Providing this context upfront sets the stage for understanding the relevance and importance of the research findings.
Participants and Sampling
Share details about the participants involved in the study. Discuss the sampling technique used and justify its appropriateness for the research. Include demographic information, such as age, gender, location, or any other relevant factors that can shed light on the target audience's characteristics.
Methodology
Describe the research methodology employed to gather data. This section should outline the research approach, such as qualitative or quantitative methods, and the tools used, like surveys, interviews, or observational studies. Explain the rationale behind your choice of methods and how they helped in gathering relevant and reliable data.
Research Artifacts and Analysis
Provide a comprehensive account of how data was collected and analyzed. For qualitative data, explain the process of transcribing and coding interviews or observations. For quantitative data, elaborate on the tools used for statistical analysis. Include any significant trends or patterns that emerged during the analysis.
Findings and Insights
Present the findings of the research in a clear and organized manner. Use graphs, charts, and visuals to illustrate the data effectively. Include direct quotes or anecdotes from participants to add a human element to the report. Organize the findings based on the research objectives to make it easier for readers to follow and understand.
Recommendations
Translate the research findings into actionable insights and recommendations. Highlight how the research can influence the design decisions and address the identified problems or challenges. Make sure to tie the recommendations directly to the research data to reinforce their validity.
You survived. Give yourself a high five!
Creating a well-crafted design research report is not just about documenting findings; it's a powerful tool to influence design decisions and foster better understanding among stakeholders. By including the essential elements mentioned earlier, designers can effectively communicate their research, ensuring that their efforts contribute to creating thoughtful and impactful designs
