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Time Management and Constraints.

As a whole, the group worked well together to create the research plan, time was managed well, and everyone always met their deadlines. Once everyone had finished their sections, the paper was put together to form a complete research plan. The only thing that hindered our communication slightly between ourselves was the nationwide lockdown due to the Corona Virus; however, we all managed to communicate via video call, and the research plan was completed in the best way possible.

Now that the research plan has been completed, as a group, we look forward to conducting out surveys and finding the best possible solution to the way finding problem the Kloof SPCA has. 

Image References: 

Time management Free Icon. [Online image]. (n.d.). Freepik. https://www.freepik.com/free-icon/time-management_772116.htm

Corona, corona virus, coronavirus, covid-19, germ, virus icon. [Online image]. (n.d.). Iconfinder. https://www.iconfinder.com/icons/5862673/corona_corona_virus_coronavirus_covid-19_germ_virus_icon

Check, circle, correct, mark, success, tick, yes icon. [Online image]. (n.d.). Iconfinder. https://www.iconfinder.com/icons/1398912/check_circle_correct_mark_success_tick_yes_icon

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Ethics

As a group, we need to follow the normalities of ethics in our research process. Ethics is the normality of how something is conducted. How it is conducted helps the public recognize the difference between acceptable and unacceptable research conclusions (Resnik, 2015). Throughout the research of this project, we have faced ethical issues that we do need to take note of and adhere to so that we can achieve the best possible result of our research.

There is a need for us to be honest about all our results. Data collections need to be recorded, honestly, and accurately. It needs to be done this way so that there is no interference and inconsistencies with the results. The interference of data collection can lead to false conclusions.

Due to the Corona Virus lockdown, we face an ethical issue regarding our integrity and openness. A continuous line of communication needs to be apparent between ourselves as the researchers and the SPCA as the subjects. We need to keep them informed as to what is happening during our research process so that there is no confusion and so that they know we are still working together with them to find the best possible solution to the design problem.

We need to ensure that if any participant provides private information on the conducted surveys, we do not use it. It is vital to keep the results anonymous to protect the participants.

The SPCA asked politely not to post any photos on social media platforms that we took of the animals. The SPCA has its platforms that they use to advertise rescue animals. We need to respect what was asked of us so that no trust issues form between us and the SPCA.

Research References: 

Resnik, D.B. (2015, December 1). What is ethics in research and why is it important? National institute of environmental health sciences. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/ resources/ bioethics/whatis/index.cfm

Image References: 

Privacy. [Online image]. (n.d.). Xemex. https://www.xemex.eu/privacy-policy-xemex/privacy/

Mutual Respect PNG Transparent Mutual Respect PNG Images. [Online image]. (n.d.). DLPNG. https://dlpng.com/png/6625264

Efforts To Uphold Integrity, Equal To, Equals To Icon. [Online image]. (n.d.). DLPNG. https://dlpng.com/png/6983097

Honesty Png #77032. [Online image]. (n.d.). PNGio.com. https://pngio.com/PNG/a77032-honesty-png.html

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Methodology.

The methodology we are using for our research is Phenomenology. Phenomenology is a methodology that aims to achieve an accurate and precise description of understanding a specific human experience (Chanmbers, 2013). We chose this methodology because the problem we are trying to solve includes customers and how they use and perceive the Kloof SPCA entrance, for us to be able to provide an accurate solution to the problem we need to study how customers interact with the existing entrance.

The qualitative research methods we have used so far consist of Naturalistic observations and an informal interview with a staff member. As mentioned previously, for us to find out what type of problems the non-profit organization might be facing, we conducted an informal interview with a team member of the marketing group at the Kloof SPCA. We chose to use this method because it is upfront and more personal. This type of approach also allowed them to ask us questions so that they could also grasp a better understanding of the project at hand.

Naturalistic observational is studying behaviour that occurs naturally in its natural setting, without the interference of the researcher (Atlas.ti, n.d.). During our observational study, we explored the Kloof SPCA grounds. An important observation we made that links to the mentioned design problem was that the wayfinding of the entrance is not well displayed. Although there was visible signage, it was not clear as to which direction the reception was.

We have used more qualitative research methods because it gives us a better insight into customers' personal experience and staff members at the Kloof SPCA.

The quantitative research method we want to use are surveys. To prove that this design problem is viable, we are looking to conduct a survey to understand the staff members and customer experience better. We want to find out if there is a need for the entrance experience to be improved, from the customers' and employees' point of view. Once the data from the surveys has been put together, we can conclude if our problem is viable enough to proceed with the research and find solutions to the problem that will help the Kloof SPCA.

Research References: 

Chambers, T. (2013, July 11). Qualitative Research in Corporate Communication. Blogs Baruch. https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/com9640epstein/?p=543

Image Reference: 

Computer Icon Questionare. [Online image]. (n.d.). CleanPng. https://www.cleanpng.com/png-computer-icons-questionnaire-survey-methodology-fo-1217460/

Observation. [Onlne image]. (n.d.). Enventure Research. https://www.enventure.co.uk/services/qualitative-research/observation/

Interview Png Picture. [Online image]. (n.d.). Pluspng.com. http://pluspng.com/png-interview-images-2916.html

Round Table Meeting Icon. [Online image]. (n.d.). Clipartmax. https://www.clipartmax.com/middle/m2i8i8b1Z5i8i8i8_qualitative-research-round-table-meeting-icon/

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Research Plan Set Up

After we had visited the Kloof SPCA and determined what problem we would be focusing on to solve, we came together as a group via a video call. We discussed how we wanted to lay out our research plan for the assignment. The research plan consists of the following sections in this order: abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, ethics, risk, and resource analysis, conclusion, and appendixes. These sections will all contribute to solving the problem we have identified.

As you can see on the poster, each group member was allocated sections to write about; the sections assigned to me were the methodology and ethics. The sections that I wrote about will be explained further in the following posts.

Image References: 

Methodology line icon development process sign vector image. [Online image]. (n.d.). Vector Stock. https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/methodology-line-icon-development-process-sign-vector-22870984

Person SVG PNG Icon Free Download. [Online image]. (n.d.). Pinclipart. https://www.pinclipart.com/pindetail/oJxomi_person-svg-png-icon-free-download-profile-icon/

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Group Observational research at Kloof SPCA

This post does not include a poster due to ethical reasons. 

After the interview with Kloof SPCA was conducted, the group agreed to meet at the SPCA location to do observational research together. As a group, we saw that there were many issues that we could help solve. As mentioned in the previous post, it was agreed upon by ourselves as well as the SPCA that we would focus on solving one major issue; the wayfinding of the Kloof SPCA entrance. 

While we were there on site at the SPCA, we noticed that there was no signage by the entrance that indicated where the reception was. I even drove past and did not know where to go. Once parked in the reception parking lot, I also did not know where to walk; there was no visible signage pointing in the direction of the reception. As designers, we picked up on this issue immediately and thoroughly agreed that it is an important issue that we must help the Kloof SPCA solve. 

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The Selected Non Profit Organisation.

As a group, the first activity we did together was selecting a nonprofit organisation. We all came together with our ideas as to which nonprofit organisation we could help. We all concluded that the Kloof SPCA would be a good organisation for us to approach and offer our services.  

Once we selected the SPCA as the organisation we wanted to help, we approached them, asking if we could come in for an informal interview that would give us a chance to explain to them what the assignment was all about. During this interview, it was mentioned that the Kloof SPCA had many issues they need help solving. During this interview, it was concluded that the one major issue that we could help with, and should be what we focus on, would be the entrance wayfinding. Image References: Interview PNG. [Online image]. (n.d.). pngfind. https://www.pngfind.com/mpng/iixTJRb_interview-png-one-on-one-interview-png-transparent/ 

Signage Black And White Png. [Online image]. (n.d.). PNGio.com. https://pngio.com/images/png-a1390784.html

Reception Icon in Trendy Style Isolated Background. [Online image]. (n.d.). Pngtree. https://pngtree.com/so/reception

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Introduction to My Field Research Collection Diary.

I am going to be taking you through my field research collection diary.

Starting with an introduction. In one of my Post Grad subjects, Service Design, we were assigned to form a group, and within this group, we had to select and agree on a nonprofit organization we wanted to help. Once the selection process was complete, we needed to investigate further whether they needed our help to solve a problem that they faced. Once the problem was found, the group put together a research plan that will help us solve the problem the nonprofit organisation is facing. The processes will be explained further in the posts that will follow this one.  The process of putting the research plan together has been completed. The following posts on this Tumblr account will explain the process of what research was collected and why.  Image References:  Brief Icon PNG Transparent Background. [Online image]. (n.d.). Free Icons PNG. https://www.freeiconspng.com/img/14277

Diary Png [Online image]. (n.d.). PNGio.com. https://pngio.com/images/png-a1322272.html.  Clip Art Blue Nonprofit Onsite Malta. [Online image]. (n.d.). Kind PNG. https://www.kindpng.com/imgv/iihbxJ_clip-art-blue-nonprofit-onsite-malta-non-profit/ SPCA. [Online image]. (n.d.). East Cost Radio. https://www.ecr.co.za/news/news/spca-pleads-urgent-donations/