80030 Research Methods

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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Design
Credit points: 12 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject introduces methodologies for research and evaluation, usability, appraisal, critical comparison and reflective writing, as relevant to a diversity of disciplines and interdisciplinary areas. The subject equips the student with a wide range of methods suitable for structuring and thinking critically from a researched context about design, that may range from a theoretical, historical and conceptual research approach to applied, practice-based and project-centred projects. Its content may be oriented towards the student's successful written and project components of the honours degree.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1.	Establish and develop an informed and ethical position toward social and cultural issues
2.	Communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways including oral, written and visual
3.	Develop innovative approaches
4.	Demonstrate knowledge of photographic history and theory and to place creative practice within a contextual framework
5.	Position work within an extended disciplinary context
6.	Source, evaluate and utilise appropriate academic and professional references
7.	Independently select and apply appropriate research methodologies to carry out investigative study
8.	Analyse, synthesise and formulate complex ideas, arguments and rationales and use initiative to explore alternatives
9.	Reflect and engage in self-critique and critical thinking

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

Ethical practices in relation to acknowledgement of sources and the work of others (A.2)
Professional attitude to clarity and accuracy of communication (C.1)
Ability to present work appropriately to context (C.3)
Ability to appraise, develop or redirect design ideas (I.2)
Ability to independently develop new skills and areas of knowledge (P.1)
Ability to develop a well-supported argument (R.1)
Ability to analyse complex ideas (R.2)
Ability to critically reflect on work by self and others (R.3)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject also contributes to the faculty's five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (see 'Graduate Attribute Development') through the following course intended learning outcomes:

Ethical practices in relation to acknowledgement of sources and the work of others (A.2)
Professional attitude to clarity and accuracy of communication (C.1)
Ability to present work appropriately to context (C.3)
Ability to appraise, develop or redirect design ideas (I.2)
Ability to independently develop new skills and areas of knowledge (P.1)
Ability to develop a well-supported argument (R.1)
Ability to analyse complex ideas (R.2)
Ability to critically reflect on work by self and others (R.3)

Teaching and learning strategies

Classes are weekly on campus: a 1 hour lecture, a 2 hour tutorial and a 3 hour workshop.

This subject is taught through face-to-face classes and incorporates a range of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, discussions, and workshops. These are complemented by independent student reading, participation in class activities and independent research project work.

Lecture: Each week you will familiarise yourself with a range of different texts and visual examples that relate to the lecture topic. These are included in the week to week descriptions and you will need to check on your activities and preparation requirements before coming to the lecture. You will then attend an interactive lecture (1 hour) where you must be prepared to ask and answer questions and briefly discuss issues in a group. It is important that you prepare for the lecture by becoming familiar with the lecture material as optimal transmission and retention of knowledge will only be achieved with a level of familiarity with the topic.

Seminars: are guided discussions and activities that expand on lecture topics and apply key ideas and approaches to relevant assessment tasks and research projects.

Workshops: are guided workshops both in class room and library environments that facilitate the development of academic research and writing skills in one-on-one and group learning activities.

Lectures, tutorials and workshops will make use of online platforms and discussion boards.

Students will recieve feedback from staff on their projects in an ongoing way, both in class and online through REVIEW.

Content (topics)

This subject introduces students to research methodologies and facilitates students' abilities to situate their creative practice within the context of photography and situated media.

Topics include

Practice led research

Practice based research

Creative practice research methodologies

Research ethics

Qualitative versus quantitative research

Literature reviews and annotated bibliographies

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Abstract and Research Question

Intent:

This assessment task requires you to submit a written Abstract and Research Question relevant to your ongoing Honours research project.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 5, 8 and 9

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.):

C.1, C.3, R.2 and R.3

Type:

Project

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

30%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Ability to communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways including oral, written and visual (this criterion focuses on your written communication skills and the overall formatting of your submission	25	2	C.1
Ability to position work within an extended disciplinary context (this criterion focuses on your ability to connect your research focus with contexts of appropriate scope and scale, depth and breadth)	25	5	C.3
Ability to analyse, synthesise and formulate complex ideas, arguments and rationales and use initiative to explore alternatives (this criterion focuses on your ability to condense complex aspects of your research into concise, coherent and lucid articulations)	25	8	R.2
Ability to reflect and engage in self-critique and critical thinking (this criterion focuses on the reflective and critical insights of your submission)	25	9	R.3

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Research Methodology

Intent:

This assessment task requires you to submit a written Research Methodology that outlines and discusses the methodological approach of your ongoing Honours research project.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 7 and 9

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.):

A.2, C.1, I.2, P.1 and R.3

Type:

Project

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

30%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Ability to communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways including oral, written and visual (this criterion focuses on your written communication skills, overall formatting and includes your use of academic sources and references as appropriate)	20	2	C.1
Ability to establish and develop an informed and ethical position toward social and cultural issues (this criterion focuses on your understanding of and approach to research ethics, as appropriate to your research project)	20	1	A.2
Ability to independently select and apply appropriate research methodologies to carry out investigative study (this criterion focuses on the relevance, coherence and lucidity of your research methodology	20	7	P.1
Ability to reflect and engage in self-critique and critical thinking (this criterion focuses on the reflective and critical insights of your research methodology)	20	9	R.3
Ability to develop innovative approaches (this criterion focuses on the initiative and innovation demonstrated by your research methodology)	20	3	I.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Annotated biliography

Intent:

This assessment task requires you to submit a written Annotated Bibliography that details the key sources for your ongoing Honours research project.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 4, 5, 6 and 8

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.):

A.2, C.1, C.3, R.1 and R.2

Type:

Annotated bibliography

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

40%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Ability to communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways including oral, written and visual (this criterion focuses on your written communication skills and the overall formatting of your submission)	20	2	C.1
Ability to position work within an extended disciplinary context (this criterion focuses on your ability to connect your research focus with contexts of appropriate scope and scale, depth and breadth)	20	5	C.3
Ability to source, evaluate and utilise appropriate academic and professional references (this criterion focuses on your ability to research, reference and incorporate sources as appropriate to your research project)	20	6	A.2
Ability to analyse, synthesise and formulate complex ideas, arguments and rationales and use initiative to explore alternatives (this criterion focuses on your ability to condense complex aspects of your research into concise, coherent and lucid articulations)	20	8	R.2
Ability to demonstrate knowledge of photographic history and theory and to place creative practice within a contextual framework (this criterion focuses on your ability to situate your research in historical, theoretical and creative photographic contexts, as appropriate to your research project)	20	4	R.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes