Whole System Design Thinking Process
The combination of design and systems thinking can deliver a truly holistic understanding of a current system, generate ideas that will transform the system while yet continue to maintain a whole systems view to ensure the new system is sustainable.
Student MUST adopt the principles from Biomimicry / Green Chemistry / Industrial Designing.
Here are the guidelines for the Whole System Design Thinking research article submission.
Scientific research articles provide a method for scientists to communicate with other scientists about the results of their research. The article should contain the following sections:
Title | Make your title specific enough to describe the contents of the paper, but not so technical that only specialists will understand. The title should be appropriate for the intended audience.
The title usually describes the subject matter of the article: “Effect of Smoking on Academic Performance” Sometimes a title that summarizes the results is more effective: “Students Who Smoke Get Lower Grades” |
Authors | The person who did the work and wrote the paper is generally listed as the first author of a research paper.
For publication, other people who made substantial contributions to the work are also listed as authors. Ask your mentor’s permission before including his/her name as co-author. |
Abstract | An abstract, or summary, is published together with a research article, giving the reader a “preview” of what’s to come.
It should be a little less technical than the article itself. It should be one paragraph, of 100-250 words, which summarizes the purpose, methods, and conclusions of the paper. It is not easy to include all this information in just a few words. Start by writing a summary that includes whatever you think is important, and then gradually prune it down to size by removing unnecessary words, while still retaining the necessary concepts. Write the abstract last, so you have all the information needed to summarize. But, it should be attached/inserted in the beginning of the article. |
Introduction | What question did you ask? Why is it interesting?
The introduction summarizes the background and issue you are trying to solve. One to two paragraphs should be enough. End with a sentence explaining the specific question you asked for which you would like to find solution |
Discovery | Research the problem – explain the process/steps taken to research and understand the problem. Example: interview people, conduct surveys, types of questions you asked (list few examples of questions asked during problem discovery), books, articles, websites used, etc. One or two paragraphs
Analyze the data collected – Combine all of your research and observe where your focus should be. Explain how you narrowed down the problem scope? One or two paragraphs |
Solution Scope | DEFINE the context
IDENTIFY the function INTEGRATE life’s principles |
Inspirations from Nature | DISCOVER natural world
ABSTRACT DESIGN STRATEGIES – emulate nature’s models and strategies |
Solution Design | This is the main portion of the article that describes your solution. Explain it in great detail as elaborate as possible.
Several well written paragraphs supported by illustrations/ tables / graphs. Use flow-charts to explain the steps and functions of your solution |
Next Steps – Preparing for Prototype | MATERIALS and METHODS detail the materials and procedure for moving forward with the prototype
Include possible funding sources, additional research, human expertise needed, etc., that would be required to move this solution to the testing phase. TEST [optional]– if you had the opportunity to test your solution, include the testing procedure and results. Include information such as -Did you test at the problem source or did you emulate the problem for testing? Did you have to make any compromises to your solution due to lack of materials or other resources? Do you propose any changes to your solution based on the testing results? |
Discussion | This is your CONCLUSION
Does the solution proposed support your original question mentioned in the introduction? End with a one-sentence summary of your conclusion, emphasizing why it is relevant. |
Acknowledgements | In this section, you can thank those who either helped with the research, or made other important contributions, such as discussing the problem, commenting on the solution, mentor(s), peers, etc. |
Industries and Sectors applicable for this solution | Specify the industries and sectors who might be interested in this solution |
References | In the References section list literature citations in alphabetical order.
Example: Indigo, A. C., and Mauve, B. E. 1994. Queer place for qwerty: gene isolation from the platypus. Science 275, 1213-1214. Magenta, S. T., Sepia, X., and Turquoise, U. 1995. Wombat genetics. In: Widiculous Wombats, Violet, Q., ed. New York: Columbia University Press. p 123-145. Scarlet, S.L. 1990. Isolation of qwerty gene from S. cerevisae. Journal of Unusual Results 36, 26-31. |