Seventeenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

Future interior designers need to understand the importance of research in order to implement the evidence based solutions to their designs. In the context of interior design education, senior students usually start the research part of their graduation projects before the practical phase. However, It is found that students often struggle with the concept of crafting a research thesis that is well established, relying on a scientific research background, and implementing appropriate research methods. The present study explores the teaching strategies that are used to conduct the senior projects’ thesis by instructors at a private Saudi university. The mixed methods study start with a qualitative description explaining the different teaching methods that have been used through different semesters. These strategies have been developed through time and evaluated through several semesters in an effort to aid the students with their senior thesis. The study is supported by the analysis of students’ work and the knowledge application through several semesters using grading rubrics that was developed by the instructors based on the requirements of each assignment submitted by students. For the quantitative part, senior students’ questionnaires are conducted to assess their level of understanding of the research methods and achievement of desired learning outcomes. The study is limited to the evaluation of research methods taught for senior students. The obtained result contribute to the literature on interior design pedagogy, specifically in relation to integration of research methods and the practice of interior design.