ARCHGEN 702 : Research Process

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An introduction to the research process including: research paradigms and strategies, the identification of research topics and research questions, the review and critique of literature, research methodologies, the structuring of research theses and reports, referencing and the preparation of a bibliography. The focus of the course is on preparing students to undertake their own research projects.

Course Overview

This is a supervised core course of the Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture (PGDipArch). The focus of the course is on preparing students to undertake their own research projects. The final outcome of the course is a 5,000 words research proposal. Students will be supervised by appropriate staff according to their research interest.

Course Requirements

Restriction: ARCHGEN 400, 700

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify a research topic and and a specific research problem to be addressed (Capability 1.1, 3.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
  2. Demonstrate the ability to define the rationale and motivation of a proposed research and its potential to advance knowledge about architecture (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
  3. Be able to develop a research question, to explore research methods, and to identify research limits and potentials (Capability 5.1, 5.2 and 8.1)
  4. Demonstrate the ability to carry out independent research on a selected topic (Capability 4.1, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Full research proposal 100% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Full research proposal

Teaching & Learning Methods

Students will discuss their research interests with their supervisor, identifying a research field/topic and a potential research question.
The course is divided in four Milestones where students are expected to submit part of their work towards the final submission of a 5,000-word research proposal. Students will receive feedback on their submissions from their supervisor. Milestones are as indicated below:
Milestone 1: Preliminary literature overview (research background) and research question;
Milestone 2: Exploration of research methods, identification of research limits and potentials;
Milestone 3: proposed title of the research, abstract and rationale/motivation;
Milestone 4: submission of the final research proposal (5,000 words).

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect approx. 10 hours of supervisory meetings and 140 hours of work on assignments preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is at scheduled activities including supervisory meetings to complete components of the course.

Supervisory meetings will not be available as recordings. Other learning activities will as recordings. Students may record their session upon explicit request to their supervisor.

The course will not include live online events.

Attendance on campus is required for supervisory meetings.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Talis reading list with essential readings on architectural research methodology will be provided via Canvas

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The structure of the course, based on milestones, has been refined by considering student feedback. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved using the Extension of Time Application form available on Canvas. Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications by students should include information about the unexpected circumstances and should attach evidence to support this if available. Notifications received after an assessment due date will be accepted, where this is reasonable, within the context of the course. If possible, students are encouraged to seek medical, counselling or other support from the most appropriate sources. Coursework not received by the due date, and for which no extension of time has been approved, will receive a ‘DNC’ (Did Not Complete). 

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 04/11/2023 12:52 p.m.