Clustering.
After extensive research using various research tools, you now posses huge amount of valuable and unvaluable data. Through clustering we connect data points across research findings to form themes/clusters that make sense.
Time Taken
1-2 hours
Level of Difficulty
Moderate
Materials Needed
Sticky notes, pen
Participants
Design/Research Team
- Effectiveness 85%
Step by Step Instructions
#1
Cluster similar information to groups/categories. Create deductive and inductive categories. Use sticky notes of different colors to make life easy.
#2
Look for themes – significant concepts that appear repeatedly, recurring problems, patterns that emerge, surprising findings, relationships between your categories.
#3
Name the clusters/themes.
#4
Repeat the process till no new themes appear and populate existing themes.
How did I use it?
This tool came in handy for the research phase of my MA Strategic Design 1st semester. The project was related to climate change and as a team(3 members) we were able to collect huge amount of data on the subject, requirement, client and target group.
Clustering was one of the most time consuming activity we did. But by doing so we deducted new themes and topics. This also helped us understand how many data points we got from various research methods were interlinked.
