Objective By elucidating the gaps between landscape design practice and research, this research underscores the significance of design parameters and propose methodologies and viable paths for “adjusting design parameters through research” (ADR). The ultimate goal is to ensure the applicability of research in design practice to cope with the increasingly complex and comprehensive landscape design needs.

Methods/process  The definition and classification of design parameters are elucidated first. The basic logic and specific paths for ADR are introduced in the light of the systematic research thinking of design parameters.

Results/conclusion  ADR is one of the core leverages of design research, of which the key lies in the transformation of design parameters into research hypotheses and independent variables. The design parameters can be classified into two categories: Conceptual models and physical environments. There are primarily four paths for ADR: “comparison of conceptual models” and “differences between physical environments” for the present, and “scenarios of conceptual models” and “parameter adjustment for physical environments” for the future. By expanding the content of research and the focus of practice, the number of possible paths for ADR can be expanded to eight, thus differentiating design research from research in other disciplines, ensuring the practicality of design research, and better promoting solution-seeking research as well as evidence-based design.