The website uiah.fi defines normative research as 'the theory of practice for a professional activity, such as design, which can consist of recommendations, rules, standards, algorithms, advices or other tools for improving the object of study'. This sums up what normative research is rather well, and as it states, the main idea of normative research is to try and improve something that is already in place.
The analysis of a certain system or design from an outside source can be very beneficial as most people who are directly involved in a project can sometimes miss the bigger picture, or are so wrapped up in their design that they can not see any potential pitfalls. Therefore, normative research is that outside source that can judge everything from an unbiased, external point of view. People conducting normative research will see the positives but will mainly try to find the negatives and the things which could be improved or changed altogether.
As you may well agree this strategy can bring out the best in a product and helps a company or business grow in the correct manner to be the very best it can be. Analysis and research have a very high place in both business and education and normative research can play a crucial role in both. Without normative research, vital improvements or glaring flaws can be missed, which could hinder the theory, product or design further down the line. It is always better to get it correct from the start.
The analysis of a certain system or design from an outside source can be very beneficial as most people who are directly involved in a project can sometimes miss the bigger picture, or are so wrapped up in their design that they can not see any potential pitfalls. Therefore, normative research is that outside source that can judge everything from an unbiased, external point of view. People conducting normative research will see the positives but will mainly try to find the negatives and the things which could be improved or changed altogether.
As you may well agree this strategy can bring out the best in a product and helps a company or business grow in the correct manner to be the very best it can be. Analysis and research have a very high place in both business and education and normative research can play a crucial role in both. Without normative research, vital improvements or glaring flaws can be missed, which could hinder the theory, product or design further down the line. It is always better to get it correct from the start.