Design and technology project research methods.

GCSE Design & Technology

Research and analysis of research

The methods that I used for my research were the following below:

.Surveys/ Questionnaires.

.Shop surveys.

.Photo graphs.

.Internet.

I used these four methods because they are the most effective ways of gathering information.

Surveys/Questionnaires

Its purpose is that you carry out a survey about your product e.g. Colours, price, materials etc. and you will find out the exact information that you are looking for. Also you will find out what is missing in the teenage market and what teenagers want. What I have found out by carrying out this survey is that teenagers prefer blue and green. This exactly matches my products theme. The ‘Natural Look’. Green and blue are the perfect colours and im pleased with my result because these were the colours I prefer as well. This result has influenced me because now I know what im going to do and how im going to make a product that will combine the two colours. I have learnt from my research because now I know what teenagers want. Also what will make my product different from the rest. Therefore the survey has helped a lot.

Photographs

This is a preview of the whole essay

Photographs

The purpose is that you can have a clear idea of what kind of quilts are available to teenagers already just by looking a photograph because you don’t want to make a product that already exist in the teenage market because your product will definitely not sell because it is a repeat or a copy of something that is already available to purchase. What I have found out through my research is that blue and green is very fashionable today. Most photographs that I have seen are very summery meaning that very light summer colours are used like yellow and orange. This information has influenced me because my theme is ‘Natural Look’ and my research has given me ideas on what type of features I should have on my product. Also the photographs have given me an idea on what kind of fabrics and designs I should use for my Uni-sex product.

Internet

The purpose is that you will find all the information at one place. For instant if you wanted information on how to make a quilt you can just Google it and you will get a step by step guide on how to make it. Internet comes very handy because you don’t need to go out looking for information. You can get it all on your computer which is secondary research. This way is also cheaper. What I have found out from this is on how to make a quilt and also what is already on the market and what’s not. What I have learnt is how easy it is to find information on the internet. This information is going to help me when it comes to making my product because then I will know how to make it step by step. Also I got information about designs on the internet which influenced me and then I decided to use ‘patchwork’.

Shop surveys

The purpose of a shop survey is that you have a clear idea of what is needed on the market, what is that missing product. Also to collect information on what that shop is providing for the teenagers at the moment. Also to find out what prices are reasonable for teenage buyers. What I have learnt from my research is that teenagers only spend 15 -20 pounds on their quilts or even less. This information has influenced me because now I know the cost that they can afford and what they adore. What I have found out is that teenagers mainly prefer cotton and they do not like their quilts and cushions to be over decorated. They adore the simple but funky look. I also found out information on ‘patchwork’ and how it is very common in the teenage market. Patchwork is fabric sewed on to a quilt to make a pattern or shape or even little pieces that join together and make one huge pattern.

BY Zobia