Design and Architecture Research Methods PG (9772.3)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Design and Architecture Research Methods PG
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Arts And Design
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Design And The Built Environment Post Graduate Level Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This interdisciplinary unit will examine research methods and practices in architecture and design. A range of research methods, including practice based research, will be examined. The unit will enhance students' competence in selecting and applying appropriate research methods for investigating the social world, objects and environments.

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete the unit will be able to:
1. Describe, analyze and appraise research methods employed in a range of design research projects;

2. Select and express appropriate methods for various design research problems; and
3. Collect, review, and critically evaluate and present information to build design knowledge and understanding.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

Students not enrolled in the Master of Architecture must gain permission of the Unit Convenor or Head of Discipline.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

8313 Design Research Methods

Equivalent units

8313 Design Research Methods

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Dr Milica Muminovic
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Milica Muminovic
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Suggested readings 

Eloy, Sara. Formal Methods in Architecture: Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Formal Methods in Architecture (5FMA), Lisbon 2020. Ed. Sara Eloy. 1st ed. 2021. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2021. Web.  

Creagh, Robyn, and Sarah McGann. Visual Spatial Enquiry: Diagrams and Metaphors for Architects and Spatial Thinkers. Ed. Robyn Creagh and Sarah McGann. Boca Raton, FL: Routledge, 2018. Print.  

Groat, Linda N, and David Wang. Architectural Research Methods. 2. Aufl. Somerset: Wiley, 2013. Print. 

Gray, Carole, and Julian Malins. Visualizing Research: a Guide to the Research Process in Art and Design. London, UK: Routledge, 2016. Print.  

Lucas, Ray. Research Methods for Architecture. London: Laurence King Publishing, 2016. Print. 

Mitrovic B, Branko M. Philosophy for Architects. Princeton Architectural Press; 2011.  

Rodgers, Paul A., and Joyce Yee. The Routledge Companion to Design Research. London: Routledge, 2015. Print. 

Vander Stoep SW. Research Methods for Everyday Life: Blending Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. 1st ed. (Johnston DD, ed.). Jossey-Bass; 2009. 

Travers M. Qualitative Research through Case Studies . Sage; 2001 

Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research and Applications¿: Design and Methods . Edited by Donald T. Campbell. Sixth edition. Los Angeles:: SAGE. 2018. 

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Submission requirements and protocols:
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the correct version of any given assignment is submitted by the due date and time as indicated in the unit's Canvas site and unit outline.
CD/DVD/USB/emailed assignment submissions will not be accepted. Submissions that do not meet the specified content, format or other requirements may be penalised through a reduction in marks.
Where students are required to submit models, drawings, posters or other physical artefacts that cannot be submitted electronically, students must create an electronic record (PDF) of the artefact and submit this in the appropriate assignment dropbox as evidence of their completed and on-time submission.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

Students are expected to have read the assigned weekly materials and attend the scheduled classes. Please advise the Unit Convener if you are unable to attend a particular class.

Students who attend campus for class or other purposes must play their part in keeping our campus and community safe by following these basic guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission:

Practise good hand hygiene, washing hands regularly;
If you do happen to cough or sneeze, please do so into the crook of your elbow, dispose of tissues immediately and wash hands immediately
Practise effective physical distancing;
Follow all directions of teaching and other UC staff regarding safety measures; Stay off campus if you are unwell and get tested according to ACT
Government guidelines, and
Follow University communications about campus
arrangements https://www.canberra.edu.au/coronavirus-advice

Required IT skills

This unit involves the use of the units' Canvas Site.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

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