Reflections on Using Creative Methods in My Research Process II
Written by Lauren McKenna
During my research, I have applied a range of creative methods that our team has explored in our meetings, including video documentation, idea prioritization and visual prototyping.
Throughout the beginning of my knotweed research on the DNA and the relatedness of knotweed stands along the Vedder River, I came across many obstacles. At first, I had no idea how to determine the relatedness of knotweed. In researching how to begin this project, I came across many interesting ideas for branching out my project by using idea prioritization.
Using idea prioritization, I was able to evaluate what pieces of information were necessary for me to focus on while writing my research proposal and while coming up with a method for determining the relatedness of the knotweed stands. As a result, I was better able to make my goals concrete and write an efficient methodology for my research.
Once I had this methodology, I decided to see what it would look like in the lab by using visual prototyping. Visual prototyping makes aspects of our ideas tangible through sketches or small sculptures made with basic supplies. By doing this, we also make our ideas testable by others. It helps with gaining a better understanding of or improving an idea too.
I set up my lab space ahead of time to go through all the motions of my methods for extracting the DNA of the leaves that I would find on each knotweed stand. This allowed me to find errors within my methods and improve my efficiency. It revealed real-world problems that were not obvious when I was writing the methods, such as dull blades for cutting up leaves, access to water, cleaning, etc.
Lastly, I decided to use video documentation to document my work in real-time. This was very useful as it contributed to my lab notes, allowing me to see where I went wrong if something did happen to my end results. Video documentation also allowed me to share my research with the public.