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AR50439: Research methods & professional practice

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2018/9
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 70%, OR 30%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Presentation (OR 30%)
  • Dissertation Proposal (CW 70%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
Research Methods will equip students to explore dissertation topics, before and during, their professional practice placement and conduct independent research work in the field of low carbon building design.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
* Demonstrate the ability to carrying out independent research with academic and technical rigour.
* Support the rationale for a focused research dissertation topic.
* Propose clear aims, hypotheses or research questions.
* Develop achievable objectives mapped to appropriate methodologies.
* Review the current state of the art in their chosen topic and identify advances that may be explored.
* Propose industry relevant deliverables.
* Plan a chapter structure around which research may be mapped.
* Demonstrate a systematic approach to planning and milestones.

Skills:

* Collating key research themes to support the value of their chosen topic. (T, F, A)
* Identifying the limits and boundaries to the proposed work. (T, F, A)
* Mapping research methodologies to key objectives. (T, F, A)
* Assessing professional-applicability and industry-impact of deliverables. (T, F, A)
* Management and employability skills to facilitate dissemination of complex L-C strategies. (T, F, A)
* Presenting and defending their dissertation proposal to an academic/industry panel. (T, F, A)

Content:

* How to select an appropriate dissertation topic.
* Critical evaluation of on-line peer-reviewed journal resources.
* Devising clear aims and objectives.
* Dissertation structure and presentation format.
* Research methodologies, their application and synthesis.
* Mapping your dissertation proposal to professional practice.
* Dissertation proposal presentation skills.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

AR50439 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering

Notes: