Property Research and Analysis

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 Hours

Entry into the 200-point Master of Property

OR

Approval from the Subject Coordinator.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Property Research and Analysis is a taught module that draws on theories and techniques to analyse various property-related research questions in an applied way through selected research-based studies demonstrating how these theories and techniques are applied. The specific focus on research in this subject provides the foundation for ABPL90362 Research Thesis – Property.

The subject has two aims:

1. To equip students with the skills necessary to conduct rigorous and original research;
2. To provide them with an opportunity to develop a scholarly foundation and a theoretical framework for an investigation into a research topic determined by the student in conjunction with an academic supervisor. The academic supervisor will guide the student while undertaking ABPL90362 Research Thesis – Property.

The subject concentrates on the preliminary stages of research, from defining a research question through to planning and beginning implementation of the research. The output of students' work constitutes the basis for the empirical work conducted in ABPL90362 Research Thesis - Property and forms an integral part of the final research report of that subject.

Together ABPL90363 Property Research Analysis and ABPL90362 Research Thesis - Property meet the 25-point research pathway to PhD requirement.

Upon completion of this subject students are expected to:

• Have a sound understanding of the main theories and analytical techniques that are commonly used or relevant to property research;
• Be able to plan and collect primary and secondary data for analysis of specific research problem;
• Enhance the ability of self-direct learning;
• Be able to effectively interpret and communicate research/analytical result.

1000-word assignment focussing on preliminary problem definition and literature review specific to the problem due in week 6 (15%).

Date collection (primary or secondary) and analysis assignment due in week 8 (20%).

A scholarly report of 4,000 words containing research problem definition, development proposal and literature review on a topic defined by the student in consultation with the subject coordinator, and establishing the basis for the empirical work that will be carried out in ABPL90362 Research Thesis - Property. Due week 11 (65%).

A pass must be attained in all assessments in order to pass the subject.

SPROULL, N. L. (1995) Handbook of Research Methods: a Guide for Practitioners and Students in the Social Sciences, Metuchen, N.J, Scarecrow Press.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Ability to identify and develop a research proposal for a property research problem;
• Understanding of quantitative and qualitative research techniques relevant to land and property;
• Written and verbal communication.