Research Methods

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of English Language and knowledge of the basic tools and methods of Architectural or Archaeology Research.

Teaching Methods

The course will follow an e-learning teaching method, mandatory to all the students of the joint master.

The four universities are going to share a common on line platform. This platform aims to keep the academic staff and students updated on the didactic contents taking place in every university.

The e-learning platform allows the academic staff to follow the progress of the students, and facilitates students going back in their own time, and revisit the past lectures.

The course is structured through recorded lectures and interactive seminar classes following practical work.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to present a set of research topics used in the field of architecture and urbanism, with the aim of adapting the means available to achieve the objectives in terms of research dealing with the following topics:

1. Scientific research and the specificity of architecture and urbanism;

2. Differences and convergences between theoretical research and research through design3. Formulation of objectives and assessment of problems;

4. Identification of the methodology and types of research: rules and models;

5. Criteria for preparing the research plan;

6. Definition of the Theoretical background and technics of field work;

7. Characterization of research tools on architecture and archaeology

8. Treatment of primary and secondary sources: recording, archiving, organization and retrieval of information;

9. Definition of research strategies

10. Analysis of results and critic evaluation of the proposals

11. Formulation of conclusions;

12. Drawing, writing and presentation

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The program covers various methods of research in architecture and archaeology:

•          The scientific method and its implications in disciplinary theoretical and philosophical issues;

•          The relationship of design and building detail with the theory and history of architecture;

•          Furthermore bibliographic research, field work and laboratory scale studies in architecture and archaeology;

•          Research through design focused on methodologies and tools;

•          Drawing as a research instrument in Architecture and Archaeology.

 

This course unit develops a systematic approach to the topics listed above, unfolding the following teaching modules:

•          Documentary sources;

•          Research methods through Design in Architecture and Archaeology;

•          Research tools;

•          Academic writing and translation in Architecture and Archaeology.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Participation in the course (lectures and debate sessions): 40.0%
Team work (Critic to a master or phd thesis): 60.0%

Bibliography

Borden, I. - Rüedi, K. (2000) The Dissertation. An architecture Student’s Handbook, London, Architectural Press.

Eco, U. (2015) How to Write a Thesis. Cambridge (MA): MIT Press.

Findeli, A. (2004) “La recherche-projet: une méthode pour la recherche en design”. Proceedings of Symposium recherche sur le design, Bâle, Suisse.

Frayling, C. (1993) Research in art and design. Royal College of Art Research Papers series, 1(1).

Grand, S., & Jonas, W. (2012) Mapping Design Research, Positions and Perspectives. Berlin, Basel: Birkhäuser. http://www.degruyter.com/view/product/202693

Groat, L. & Wang, D. (2013) Architectural Research Methods. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Hillier, B. & Hanson, J. (1989) The Social Logic of Space. Cambridge: University of Cambridge Press.

Krüger, M. J. T. (2001) “A Arte de Investigação em Arquitectura”, ECDJ, n.º 5, pp. 22- 39.

Margolin, V. (2002) “A “Social Model” of Design: Issues of practice and research. Design Issues, #18.