University of Technology Sydney

85811 Research Paper B

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

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Design
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

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

Description

The research paper is a substantive body of written work designed to complement the independent and professional project components of the Honours degree but also to stand alone as a work of original academic research presented as such. The research paper should demonstrate an advanced understanding of research in relation to a topic of social, historical, cultural, or ecological significance in the field of design. Students write an approximately 5000-word dissertation oriented around a research question and a rigorous methodological response following academic conventions. Through this research, students examine the relevant social, conceptual, technical, aesthetic, and formal issues arising from their design projects.

Students are guided by discplinary mentors in the form and specific requirements of the paper.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

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

1. Develop an appropriate design research methodology
2. Effectively analyse research data and integrate findings into theoretical outcomes
3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the field of design research
4. Communicate research with professional clarity and accuracy
5. Integrate critical feedback
6. Demonstrate professional and academic integrity

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

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

  • Develop and apply an informed, sustainable, and ethical position in design practice. (A.1)
  • Work independently, collaboratively and professionally as an individual designer or part of a team, and constructively contribute to peer learning. (C.1)
  • Communicate ideas clearly and confidently across various tasks in professional, creative and research contexts. (C.2)
  • Ability to produce outcomes that contribute to and advance disciplinary knowledge. (P.3)
  • Demonstrate awareness of design history and theory and critically reflect on existing design paradigms for problem setting and solving. (R.2)
  • Develop, analyse and synthesise complex ideas that are academically informed and well-reasoned. (R.4)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

Academic writing analysis, writing practice and feedback

Content (topics)

Topics will covered by your studio leader as relevant to your stage in the research paper. These will include:

Positioning your research
Research paper structures
Completing your literature review
Structuring an argument
Writing and academic conventions
Writing conclusions

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research Paper Draft

Intent:

Create or develop the draft of your Honours research paper, building on the work you completed in Autumn. Your tutors will provide more guidance on the structure and requirements of the draft paper which will differ across design disciplines.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 3, 4 and 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.):

C.2, P.3, R.2 and R.4

Type: Essay
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Criteria:
  1. Content: Clear articulation of you subject, context and argument relevant to your field of design research.
  2. Significance: Clear articulation of the significance and implications of your research.
  3. Communication: Ability to write clearly and concisely and to present a well-structured written and visual document. This includes attention to layout, clearly written paragraphs and correct spelling and grammar.

  4. Academic conventions: Application of academic conventions through the use of appropriate voice/style, definition of academic terminology and rigorous application of citations and APA referencing.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Content: Clear articulation of you subject, context and argument relevant to your field of design research. 50 3 R.2
Significance: Clear articulation of the significance and implications of your research. 15 2 P.3
Communication: Ability to write clearly and concisely and to present a well-structured written and visual document. This includes attention to layout, clearly written paragraphs and correct spelling and grammar. 20 4 C.2
Academic conventions: Application of academic conventions through the use of appropriate voice/style, definition of academic terminology and rigorous application of citations and APA referencing. 15 6 R.4
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Research Paper

Intent:

Refine your draft research paper to create a highly polished and original piece of research, contributing to academic knowledge in your design area. Your tutors will provide more guidance on the final structure and requirements of the paper which will differ across design disciplines.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 4, 5 and 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.):

A.1, C.1, C.2, P.3 and R.4

Type: Essay
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 70%
Criteria:
  1. Content: Engaging final content which has a clear articulation of you subject, context and argument relevant to your design discipline and major project.

  2. Significance: Clear articulation of the significance and implications of your final research contribution.

  3. Communication: Ability to write clearly and concisely and to present a well-structured and polished final document. This includes attention to layout, visuals, clearly written paragraphs and correct spelling and grammar.

  4. Academic conventions: Thorough application of academic conventions through the use of appropriate voice/style, definition of academic terminology and rigorous application of citations and APA referencing.

  5. Improvements: Effort to keep improving draft documents to integrate feedback and develop a refined final paper that you are proud of.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Content: Engaging final content which has a clear articulation of you subject, context and argument relevant to your design discipline and major project. 40 1 A.1
Significance: Clear articulation of the significance and implications of your research. 15 2 P.3
Communication: Ability to write clearly and concisely and to present a well-structured and polished final document. This includes attention to layout, visuals, clearly written paragraphs and correct spelling and grammar. 15 4 C.2
Academic conventions: Thorough application of academic conventions through the use of appropriate voice/style, definition of academic terminology and rigorous application of citations and APA referencing. 15 6 R.4
Improvements: Effort to keep improving draft documents to integrate feedback and develop a refined final paper that you are proud of. 15 5 C.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.