I just read through an discussion at linkedin which featured some pretty useful links in terms of design research. So for anyone interested who isn’t on linkedin, check out these links:

1. The Design Research Guide
2. InformeDeisgn - A magazine that transforms research into an easy-to-read, easy-to-use format for architects, designers…
3. An Evolving Map of Design Practice and Design Research
4. All about Design Research

You might also want to check the link collection of design methods, if you search for specific tools, used within the design process itself.