16259 Honours Research 2
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This is the second of six subjects belonging to the Bachelor of Property Economics (Honours) (C09063) (it is designed to be completed alongside 16262 Honours Research 1). Over these six subjects, the student works with a research supervisor to design, carry out, and report on a research project. There is significant variation possible in how the student accomplishes these goals. The thesis might be quantitative or qualitative, written up in conventional academic format or presented primarily online. Task structure varies among projects and should be determined between the supervisor and student, depending on the research aims.
This subject is delivered through individual meetings between student and supervisor. As the second of a six-subject Honours sequence, this subject aims to take students through the process of developing a sound research methodology, and prepare them to the point where they are able to begin the research fieldwork. This involves developing an understanding of research methodologies, and evaluating the appropriateness of various methodological approaches to the research questions and objectives established in 16262 Honours Research 1. The subject also develops the specific research skills needed, for example survey design, interview skills, or statistical analysis. The specific research skills needed are decided on by the student and supervisor. Students work closely with their supervisors to develop a research design and write the methodology chapter of the thesis.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply problem solving strategies and use empirical analysis in built environment research. |
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| 2. | Select and apply appropriate methodology for a specific problem in the built environment. |
| 3. | Independently design a research project. |
| 4. | Critically assess the methodological rigour of published work. |
| 5. | Communicate methodological arguments. |
| 6. | Assess the ethical or validity issues raised by different sources of research data |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
As an individually supervised research training subject, this subject contributes primarily to Graduate Attributes related to Research and Communication skills.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is delivered through meetings between individual student and supervisor. Pre-reading will be required, to ensure students have a clear understanding of the goals of the methodology section of the thesis. Pre-reading materials will be posted on Canvas. The subject is structured around a flipped model of learning. Students will typically prepare work (as agreed with the supervisor) in advance of each meeting, and the supervisor will offer in-depth feedback on the work at the subsequent meeting. The student has substantial responsibility for the pace at which work proceeds; responding to verbal and written feedback from the supervisor is an important part of the learning process. Students will also work with their supervisors to identify ethical issues raised by the research, and to develop methods to control these issues. The subject involves significant self-directed learning, as the student is responsible for designing an appropriate and rigorous methodological approach to their research project. Formative feedback will be provided by supervisors at each meeting, with the aim of developing an iterative process, improving the scope and quality of the student's work. Feedback on assignments will be provided either in Review, or in Turnitin.
Content (topics)
- Research methods
- Qualitative and quantitative approaches
- How to structure a research design
- Validity and reliability of data
- Data collection techniques – questionnaire surveys, interviews, focus groups, Delphi technique and statistical techniques.
- Human ethics issues in research
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Research design and thesis structure
| Intent: |
This assignment asks you to design the methodology you will use to accomplish your research. This is an essential skill for any researcher.
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2 and 3 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): .1, .1 and .2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1000 words | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Research methodology report
| Intent: | This assignment asks you to develop a detailed methodology and reflect on the challenges you are likely to encounter in the research. | ||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2, 4 and 5 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): .1 and .1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2000 words | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: HREC Application or detailed report on data validity
| Intent: | This assignment asks you to develop EITHER the ethics application OR a detailed assessment of the proposed secondary data you will use. | ||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 6 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): .2 and .3 | ||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||
| Length: | To be determined by supervisor and student | ||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Required texts
Farrell, P (2011) Writing a Built Environment Dissertation. Practical guidance and examples. Wiley-Blackwell, West Sussex UK. ISBN 978-1-4051-9851-6.
Other resources
Useful material will be posted on UTS Online