Transformative Design
Transformative Design is a research methodology that emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and change. It is based on the belief that the design process can be used to create social, economic, and environmental change. The transformative design has its roots in participatory design, which is a collaborative approach to problem-solving that includes all stakeholders in the decision-making process.
Transformative Design Types
There are three types of Transformative Design :
Green Design
This type of design focuses on making homes and buildings more environmentally friendly. Benefits include reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Drawbacks include higher upfront costs and the need for ongoing maintenance.
Universal Design
This type of design focuses on making homes and buildings accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or disability. Benefits include improved safety and accessibility for all users. Drawbacks include the need for specialized training for designers and builders, and increased costs.
Sustainable Design
This type of design focuses on using materials and resources that can be replenished or reused over time. Benefits include reduced waste and environmental impact.
When to use Transformative Research Design
Transformative research designs are used to study social change and to foster social transformation. They are best used when studying complex social phenomena, such as culture, power, and inequality. Transformative research designs seek to understand how people make sense of their social world and how they change it.
Transformative research designs are particularly well suited for studying social movements because they emphasize the importance of context and process. Transformative research designs are also good for studying controversial topics, such as abortion or gun violence. When using a transformative research design, researchers should be aware of their own biases and assumptions and strive to be reflexive in their work.
Also see Exploratory Research
Examples of Transformative Design
- One example of a transformative research design is action research. This type of research is typically used to improve practice or solve a problem within an organization. It involves collecting data, reflecting on the findings, and taking action based on what was learned.
- Another example of a transformative research design is participatory action research. This type of research is often used in community settings and involves community members in every step of the process, from data collection to implementation of findings.
How to Use Transformative Research Design
When using a transformative research design, it is important to consider the following:
- The researcher’s personal biases and how they may influence the study.
- The power dynamics between the researcher and participants.
- The potential for participants’ voices to be heard and for them to be transformed by the research process.
Advantages of Transformative Design
There are some advantages to using transformative design.
- It can help raise awareness about important issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
- It can help open up public discourse about these issues and get people talking about solutions.
- It has the potential to lead directly to positive social change.
Disadvantages of Transformative Design
There are some disadvantages to using a transformative design in your research study.
- It can be difficult to maintain objectivity and neutrality when you are also the researcher and participant in the study.
- Transformative research can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring significantly more work than other qualitative approaches.
- It can be difficult to find an appropriate venue for presenting and publishing findings from a transformative study.
