Product Design & Technologies - Unit 4 Outcome 2 Vocabulary

Vocabulary study flashcards covering key terms and definitions from Product Design & Technologies Unit 4 Outcome 2.

R&D (Research and Development)

A process of investigating and creating new products or improving existing ones through innovation and experimentation.

Speculative Thinking and Innovation

Synthesising and evaluating information/ideas, critically and creatively thinking to imagine and design future possibilities.

Entrepreneurial Activities

Any action taken towards starting, developing, or managing a new business or innovative venture — typically involving risk, creativity, and the intention to make a profit or create value.

Environmental Issues

Concerns related to the impact of technologies and products on the natural environment — including resource use, pollution, waste, and ecological sustainability.

Economic Issues

Factors affecting cost, affordability, financial accessibility, and the economic viability of technologies — including production costs, market competitiveness, and job creation or loss.

Social Issues

Impacts on individuals and communities — such as health, safety, equity, inclusion, employment, and how people interact with or are affected by technologies.

Worldview Issues

Broader philosophical, cultural, or ideological perspectives — including how technologies align with values, beliefs, traditions, and visions for the future.

Sustainability Considerations

How technologies support/impact on long-term environmental, economic and social balance (the 3 pillars).

Ethical Considerations

Moral questions about fairness, responsibility, and integrity — such as privacy, safety, transparency, consent, and the responsible use of technology.

Market Research

Gathers information about people and their needs: who wants which products, where they live, how much they are prepared to pay and how best to make the product known to them.

Primary Research (Market Research)

Collecting original data directly from users to understand specific needs, such as conducting surveys to understand user preferences.

Secondary Research (Market Research)

Gathering pre-existing information and data from external sources, such as online reviews, ratings, or industry publications.

Product (5 Ps of Market Research)

The component of market research focusing on what features people want and what makes a product appealing to the target group.

Price (5 Ps of Market Research)

The component of market research focused on determining what price people will pay and are prepared to pay for a product.

Place (5 Ps of Market Research)

The component of market research identifying where the product can be purchased and where advertising is placed.

Promotion (5 Ps of Market Research)

The component of market research covering how people are going to know about a product and communicating its key information.

People (5 Ps of Market Research)

The component of market research identifying who will buy the product and broadly placing them into target groups according to personal factors.

Product Development Process

The process for commercial products in mass or low-volume production that guides a product from abstract concept to design, production, distribution, and retail.

Stage 1: Product Concept / Identifying the Need

Recognising a real-world problem, opportunity, or gap in the market, including defining the purpose of the product and who the end user is.

Stage 2: Market Research and R&D

Gathering information about user needs, preferences, and trends, and experimenting with materials, tools, and processes to explore possible solutions.

Stage 3: Design and Prototyping Development

Generating and refining ideas through sketches, models, and prototypes, including testing and iterating to develop a final proof of concept.

Stage 4: Production and Distribution

Making the final product using selected materials, tools, and processes, and planning how the product will be delivered or made available to users.

Stage 5: Retail and Consumer Use

Selling or distributing the product to the end user, including packaging, marketing, and observing how the product is used in real-world settings.

Stage 6: Product Evaluation and Modification

Gathering feedback and data to assess the product's success, potentially leading to improvements, redesigns, or updates based on user experience.

Quantitative Data

Numerical, measurable data collected to assess a product's performance, such as measurements, ratings, and statistics.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive, subjective feedback collected based on user opinions and observations, such as user interviews and focus groups.

Ethical Data Collection

Collecting information and feedback in a way that respects the rights, privacy, and wellbeing of participants.

Informed Consent

An ethical data collection principle where participants know what data is being collected and why, and agree voluntarily to take part.

Privacy and Confidentiality

An ethical data collection principle requiring the protection of personal information, not sharing identifiable data without permission, and using anonymous surveys where possible.

Respect and Fair Treatment

An ethical data collection principle requiring participants to be treated respectfully without discrimination or coercion, allowing them to withdraw at any time without penalty.

Data Accuracy and Honesty

An ethical data collection principle requiring data to be recorded honestly and accurately, avoiding manipulating or falsifying data.