705-444 Research Methods (Honours)

The subject introduces students in the Faculty of Architecture, Building & Planning to the skills necessary to conduct rigorous and original research and effectively communicate their research findings in a clear and systematic manner. The subject concentrates on how to select and refine a research topic, develop appropriate research questions/hypotheses and select and use appropriate research methods. The subject incorporates formal instructional lectures, examples of research projects and seminar discussions of relevant research literature. Three general areas of knowledge are addressed - relevant research approaches, commonly used data collection and analysis methods and thesis writing skills. Research methodologies currently employed in the Faculty are introduced and discussed. Students will need to discuss details of specific methods and their use with their supervisors. Students will be provided opportunities to discuss their research projects and get feedback over the semester.

On completion of the subject students should be able to:

• Design an appropriate research program for their Research Project (which is part of various Honors degree programs).

• Propose a research topic and survey the relevant literature.

• Use results of a literature search to refine research questions and subsequently select appropriate research methods.

• Demonstrate an understanding of various research approaches and paradigms and methods of data collection and analysis.

• Implement thesis writing skills.

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• Critical thinking and analysis.

• Ability to seek out, retrieve and evaluate complex information.

• Lucid expression of complex concepts in written and oral form.

• Time management skills.

• Appreciation and implementation of the ethics associated with knowledge creation and usage.

• Creative thinking and problem identification.

• Report writing skills.

Progressive assessment of written work and oral class presentations equivalent of not more than 5000 words. Assessments are based on statements of rationale and aims of individual research projects (500 words), development of research questions and /or hypotheses and a major paper that outlines the student's research design and selection of method(s) (2500 words). Students are also required to prepare a draft literature review (2000 words) in order to be permitted to embark on a research project subject in semester 2.