3905147: Research- and Design-Methods in Architecture and Planning

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Semester:SS 15
Type:Module/Examination
Language:English/German
ECTS-Credits:5.0
Scheduled in semester:2
Semester Hours per Week / Contact Hours:40.0 L / 30.0 h
Self-directed study time:120.0 h

Module coordination/Lecturers

Curricula

Doctoral degree programme in Architecture and Planning (01.09.2010)

Description

Doctoral students in Architecture and Planning require in-depth knowledge in epistemology and ontology as well as an applicable base of research methods and design methodical tools. The individually tutored, recherche based investigative project will complement the module Research Design, and be tailored to the needs of the individual students and cover a selection of the following and other related topics:

  • Theories of design in architecture and urban planning
  • Form values in history
  • Normative approaches to the theory of spatial quality
  • Research design and the use of theory in architecture and planning
  • Inquiry by design
  • Interdisciplinary research in design and planning
  • Research projects with industrial and government partners in he built environment
  • Action research in planning and environmental studies
  • Project design / design project

Lecture Goals

The students will be able to

  • understand and be conversant in the ontological and epistemological foundations of their research work
  • differentiate between different schools of thought
  • design research procedures according to valid research questions
  • select, develop and apply suitable qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • evaluate their own research with respect to the ability to validate assumptions and hypotheses
  • be successfully examined by a group of academics in a presentation and paper submission at the end of the tutorial recherche

Qualifications

Lectures Method

Participant centered learning approach consisting of inquiry into the literature, cases and best practices in a structured process of self-study, concluded by a presentation as well as a paper submission.

Admission Requirements

none

Literature

Selected Required Readings

Research methods specific to architecture and design:

Groat, L. and D. Wang (2002) Architectural research methods. New York: J. Wiley

Laurel, B. (2003) Design research: methods and perspectives. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press

Valiela, I. (2001) Doing science: design, analysis, and communication of scientific research. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press

Zeisel, J. (2006) Inquiry by design: environment/behavior/neuroscience in architecture, interiors, landscape, and planning . New York: W.W. Norton

Sanoff, H. (1991) Visual research methods in design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold

de Jong, T.M. and D.J.M. van der Voordt (2002) Ways to study and research: urban, architectural and technical design. Delft: DUP Science

Theory of Perception:

Arnheim, R. (1969): Visual Thinking. University of California Press, Berkley (especially chapters 1,2,3)

Merleau-Ponty, M. (1958): Phenomenology of Perception. Routledge London & NY (orig. 1945)

Crary, J. (1990): Techniques of the Observer. October Book/ MIT Press, Cambridge MA

Burnett, R. (2004): How Images Think. MIT Press, Cambridge MA


Suggested additional general reading:

J. W. Cresswell (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches. Thousand Oaks, California, Sage Publications Inc.

K. M. Eisenhardt and M. E. Graebner (2007). "Theory Building from Cases: Opportunities and Challenges." Academy of Management Journal 50(1): 25-32.

A. F. Chalmers (1999). What is this thing called science?: an assessment of the nature and status of science and its methods. St. Lucia, University of Queensland Press. Selected chapters.

T. Lorenz and P. Staub (2011): Mediating Architecture. AA Publications, London

Exam Modalities

The students will be assessed in this module through:

  • Paper
  • Presentation

Comments

A personalised working-schedule and tutorial times for participants will be agreed in due time.

Exams

  • PAR-DS_Research- and Design-Methods in Architecture and Planning (SS 15, in Bewertung)