DESIGN 700 : Design Research Methodologies

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A study of how to adopt and adapt different methodologies for context analysis, concept development, design iteration, deployment and evaluation.

Course Overview

Design is a complex activity that requires a deep understanding of contexts to envision meaningful, impactful, and sustainable solutions. This course will consolidate students' understanding of principles and procedures of design research methodologies. It is essential that designers comprehend how new knowledge is generated and are equipped with research skills to inform design practices which involve ethical and rigorous approaches. 

This is a core course for all Master of Design students. It introduces students to philosophical worldviews, theoretical and methodological research approaches, and methods relevant to design practice. It provides a foundation for designing and conducting higher degree projects. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Design

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Critically adopt and adapt methodologies relevant to different stages of the design process. (Capability 1.3 and 2.4)
  2. Ability to justify and articulate methodological decisions using appropriate terminology (Capability 2.1, 3.1 and 5.1)
  3. Understand the nature and process of design research, developing the knowledge and skills to evaluate research techniques in a systematic and ethical way. (Capability 1.2, 1.3 and 6.1)
  4. Develop independent use of written and verbal skills to communicate advanced design ideas to diverse audiences. (Capability 5.4, 5.5 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Research proposal 50% Individual Coursework
Research project 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Research proposal
Research project
A total grade of 50% or higher is required to pass this course.

All assignment submission items requested by the course co-ordinator must be uploaded to Canvas, unless specified on the assignment brief. No email submission will be accepted. Multiple submissions are possible. Students can submit multiple versions of the assignment and all the submitted versions are kept. Marking is based on the latest version submitted before the deadline. 

Teaching & Learning Methods

This course will be delivered over 12 weeks. Students will have the opportunity to learn from and interact with design academics, researchers, and practitioners. Course activities will include a series of presentations, discussions and collaborative activities. 

This course includes learning about philosophical context of research informed by design and non-design disciplines, quantitative/qualitative research methodologies and methods, research rigour and ethics, data gathering and analysis, development of research plans, and dissemination and reporting. 

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 1-3 hours of engagement in lectures, discussions or collaborative activities, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures, discussions or other activities to complete components of the course.
Lectures and presentations will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including group discussions will not be available as recordings.
The course might include live online events including presentations which will be scheduled in advance and communicated to students 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.

Digital 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.

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 against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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.

In the event of 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. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 11/12/2020 03:53 p.m.