2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

DESN2287 Research Methods

20 creditsClass Size: 290

Module manager: Dr Bethan Bide
Email: B.Bide@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

Pre-requisite qualifications

None

Pre-requisites

NONE

Co-requisites

NONE

Module replaces

DESN2285 and DESN2295

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to a range of critical issues, theories and methods pertinent to design research today. This will enable them to identify a research area and test potential methodologies for the Level 3 Dissertation. The module aims to equip students with the skills to become independent researchers by inspiring them to understand how research shapes design processes and introducing them to a wide variety of theoretical resources and research methods.

Objectives

This module will introduce students to a range of research methods and equip them with the ability to analyse their suitability and effectiveness. It will also introduce some of the key critical theories and ethical concerns that shape current discourse in design and wider culture and equip students with the analytical capabilities and confidence to complete independent research projects.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to ...

1. evaluate the reliability and quality of research resources
2. understand and interpret research resources within a variety of contexts
3. appreciate the breadth of the resources at their disposal both within the University and outside it, and the ways in which these may be interrogated
4. produce a logically developed, coherent analysis and interpretation of resources based on research in written and in verbal form
5. confidently employ research methods to pursue independent research projects for their level 3 dissertation

Syllabus

The module examines critical theories significant to contemporary design research and introduces a wide range of primary and secondary research resources and methodologies. It discusses how these theories and methods can be used to produce effective original research projects and explores the ethics of research and the role of design research in contemporary society. Indicative lecture content includes:
- Criticality, Creativity and Why Design Research Matters
- Visual and Material Methodologies and Sources - Methodologies for Surveys and Data Collection - Practiced-based and Ethnographic Research
- Choosing a Research Question and Finding Secondary Sources
- The Ethics of Design Research
- Gender and the Gaze
- Critical Race Theory and the Postcolonial
- Emotions and Material Culture
- Space, Place and Time
- Class, Identity and Belonging
- Capitalism, Marxism and the Role of Creativity
- Sustainability and Responsibility
- Critical Analysis of Visual and Material Sources
- Critical Analysis of Data

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminars	4	1.00	4.00
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	16	1.00	16.00
Independent online learning hours			32.00
Private study hours			146.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Independent online learning is facilitated by digital learning resources including videos, podcasts, slides and readings, which allow student to explore in more detail topics signposted in the lectures, and gain familiarity with key resources and ideas. As part of their online learning students will be set a series of interactive tasks to guide them through the online content. Private study includes set reading (40 hours), further reading (40 hours), viewing and listening to videos and podcasts (32 hours), reviewing lecture slides (16 hours), and visits to resources (18 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will produce a visual presentation of their research plan for formative assessment. This will be presented to their tutor and peers in the form of a poster presentation in small group seminars in week 14. They will receive verbal feedback on this plan, as well as written feedback on the visual presentation they submit electronically. In addition, students will be monitored through a number of ongoing mechanisms throughout the duration of the module including attendance, participation in seminars and online learning activities.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	Essay 3000-3500	75.00
Poster Presentation	Research Plan	0.00
In-course MCQ	Knowledge of Reseach Methods	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:21:14

Disclaimer

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