Thematic Research in the Frame Creation Process

Jos van Leeuwen, Dick Rijken, Iefke Bloothoofd, Eefje Cobussen, Bram Reurings, Rob Ruts

The Hague University of Applied SciencesThe Hague, The Netherlands

Designers and public managers share the notion that the world is complex.

Engage stakeholders early in the process.

Explore the problem space, create empathyand insights into human experiences.

Public governance should be looking for public values - to do so we need to be more reflective, understand the world more qualitatively, exploratorily.

Christian Bason in his keynote

Call to Action

Ask yourself: how to put it in practice?

Christian Bason in his keynote

Wicked Problems

without clear boundaries

many aspects and dependencies

changing over time

involving many parties

open

complex

dynamic

networked

Reasoning Patterns in Problem Solving

Reasoning Patterns in Problem Solving

What How Result

Science - logic reasoning

+ leads to

(thing) (working principle) (observed)

Based on: Dorst, K (2011) “The core of ‘design thinking’ and its application,” Design Studies 32(6), 521–532. doi:10.1016/j.destud.2011.07.006

Reasoning Patterns in Problem Solving

What How ???+ leads to

(thing) (working principle) (observed)

Science - deduction

Based on: Dorst, K (2011) “The core of ‘design thinking’ and its application,” Design Studies 32(6), 521–532. doi:10.1016/j.destud.2011.07.006

Reasoning Patterns in Problem Solving

What ??? Result+ leads to

(thing) (working principle) (observed)

Science - induction

Based on: Dorst, K (2011) “The core of ‘design thinking’ and its application,” Design Studies 32(6), 521–532. doi:10.1016/j.destud.2011.07.006

Reasoning Patterns in Problem Solving

What How Result

Science - logic reasoning

+ leads to

(thing) (working principle) (observed)

Based on: Dorst, K (2011) “The core of ‘design thinking’ and its application,” Design Studies 32(6), 521–532. doi:10.1016/j.destud.2011.07.006

Reasoning Patterns in Problem Solving

What How Value

Design - productive reasoning

+ leads to

(thing) (working principle) (aspired)

Based on: Dorst, K (2011) “The core of ‘design thinking’ and its application,” Design Studies 32(6), 521–532. doi:10.1016/j.destud.2011.07.006

Reasoning Patterns in Problem Solving

??? How Value+ leads to

(thing) (working principle) (aspired)

Design - abduction (1)

Based on: Dorst, K (2011) “The core of ‘design thinking’ and its application,” Design Studies 32(6), 521–532. doi:10.1016/j.destud.2011.07.006

Reasoning Patterns in Problem Solving

??? ??? Value+ leads to

(thing) (working principle) (aspired)

Design - abduction (2)

Based on: Dorst, K (2011) “The core of ‘design thinking’ and its application,” Design Studies 32(6), 521–532. doi:10.1016/j.destud.2011.07.006

Reasoning Patterns in Problem Solving

What How Value+ leads to

(thing) (working principle) (aspired)

Design reasoning (or: design thinking)

Based on: Dorst, K (2011) “The core of ‘design thinking’ and its application,” Design Studies 32(6), 521–532. doi:10.1016/j.destud.2011.07.006

Reasoning Patterns in Problem Solving

??? ??? ???+ leads to

(thing) (working principle) (aspired)

Design reasoning (or: design thinking)

Based on: Dorst, K (2011) “The core of ‘design thinking’ and its application,” Design Studies 32(6), 521–532. doi:10.1016/j.destud.2011.07.006

Wicked Problems

Thematic Research

Thematic Research• identify themes

• investigate themes

• find inspiration for new frames

individual

group

individual

group

immerse in themesdiscuss themes

reflect on themesvisualise themes

• • • •

Investigate Themes

• In situ researchperspective of stakeholders

• Personal experiencesperspective of the researcher

• Science & Philosophy facts and meaning

• Art & culture representation and expression

Focus on the bigger issues

Research them from various angles

Get to the essence

Relate to humanity & human experiences

Research Perspectives

Accountability in public

governance

Mariahoeve The Hague

Case

DiversityDevelopment

Social challengesIntegral approach

The integral approach to neighbourhood improvement combines budgets from multiple departments.

This makes it more efficient – but also harder to account for.

How can we change the way this integral approach is accounted for?

Thematic Research: What is courage really?

Trust plays a central role

Defining Themes• Structure (what is it about?)• Responses (how do people react to it?)• Context (what is going on around it?)• Dynamics (how does it work?)

Moving towards frames

Accountability reframed• First values, then sharing

Both parties involved in accountability need to first acknowledge and share each other’s values, before goals, approaches, and results can be shared meaningfully.

• Professional improvisationProfessional activities do not need to be routine or fully planned in advance. It is important to recognise the value of improvisation and experimentation, to consider activities as such, and to trust the professional to do it the best possible way.

Accountability reframed• Illustrate vs. participate

Two ways of sharing results: by communicating step by step how results were obtained; or by inviting participation in the actual process.

• Professional friendshipNurture informal relationships between professionals, across hierarchies, cultivating trust on higher levels.

Lessons learned• Make a team of stakeholders and design thinkers

• Initiate the team - explain the importance of stepping out of the problem area

• Investigate themes from various perspectives - also use various methods

• It’s okay to cherish your own, personal experiences, but don’t let them dominate - always mix with other sources

• Alternate research with team dialogues

• Take sufficient time for team dialogues - present research outcomes, discuss the meaning of themes and individual interpretations

• Never forget: we are looking for inspiration, not the truth!

Please read the paper for details… p. 352

Current work• Gaining experiences with teaching the method to

students in various programmes

• Thematic research checklist - a practical tool for education

• How to choose research methods, match them with what we want to learn about a theme?

Thank you. Questions?