Research Methods (Masters)

Subject ABPL90070 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours: 1 x 3 hour studio per week.
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: None specified
Corequisites: None specified
Recommended Background Knowledge: None specified
Non Allowed Subjects: None specified
Subject
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Environments and Design Student Centre
Ground Floor, Baldwin Spencer (building 113)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Website: http://www.msd.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject is primarily designed to support students who plan to undertake one of the Research Project subjects offered in the Faculty. The emphasis is on helping these students define a research topic, survey the relevant literature, use results of their literature search to define research questions and to select appropriate research methods to answer these questions. The classes provide an overview of some commonly used methods for data collection and analysis, the process undertaken in designing and conducting a research project, and writing an academic research project report. Concurrent with this subject students will need to discuss details of specific methods and literature within their individual topic areas with their research project supervisors.
Objectives:
  • Knowledge of techniques and skills involved in the research process
  • Ability to analyse problems and shape a research project to address the issues identified
  • Ability to write and make oral presentations on research
Assessment: A total of 5000 words in three written assignments (worth 80% of the unit grade) and a 15 minute oral class representation (worth 20% of the unit grade). The assignments consist of a draft introductory chapter (1000 words, due in week 7), a research design/methods chapter (1000 words due in week 10), and a literature review chapter (3000 words, due in week 12) that will be incorporated into the student's final research project report, if applicable.
Prescribed Texts: David Evans and Paul Gruba, How to Write a Better Thesis, 2nd edition, October 2002, MUP, 198p.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:
  • Identification of critical issues/problems
  • Written, verbal and graphic communication of ideas
  • Ability to analyse social and cultural contexts
Links to further information: http://www.msd.unimelb.edu.au/current-students/
Related Course(s): Master of Spatial Information Science
Master of Urban Planning

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