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Methods of Investigation

Unit Code:HDC002

Credit Points	Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
12.5 Credit Points	1 Semester	36 Hours per Semester	Prahran, Sarawak	Nil

Credit Points

Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

12.5 Credit Points

1 Semester

36 Hours per Semester

Prahran, Sarawak

Nil

Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (DCOM10), Bachelor of Design (Digital Media Design) (DDIG10), Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) (DINDUS10), Bachelor of Design (Interior Design) (DINTER10), the Bachelor of Communication (L06910) and the Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Business qualifications.

Bachelor of Film and Television

Aims & Objectives:

This unit emphasises contextual investigations as integral to solving practical design problems. It explores how a designer might generate and apply information to design, introducing the skills and literacies fundamental to design research. Students will undertake informed design development and the exploration of research potential within a design brief.

At the completion of this unit students should be able to:

Explore a variety of methods for investigating the context for a design brief;
Prepare a justifiable design proposal based on contextual research;
Use evidence, analysis and argument in the preparation of a visual and written report;
Participate in online critical discussions, postings and peer support;
Understand the relationship between investigative method and design decisions;
Work in groups and independently to produce a visual and written design presentation.

Teaching Methods:

This unit is delivered through the following methods:

* Lectures

* Class presentations and activities

* Online discussions and resources

* Face-to-face and/or digitally broadcast lectures

Throughout this unit, students will engage in a wide variety of activities, which may include:

* Individual and group class based activities

* Exercises

* Critiques and discussions

* Peer reviews

* Presentations

* Online collaboration

* Preparing workbooks

* Undertaking investigations

* Developing design project

Students are expected to work between classes both independently and in groups to develop project work. Work in progress must be brought to class for ongoing activities aimed at supporting project development.

Assessment:

Note: Percentage weightings are indicative. See Unit Briefs for full assessment details.

Assessment will be based on the following tasks:

Task 1: Visually - Annotated Bibliography (30%)

Task 2: Field Data (40%)

Task 3: Final Proposal and Documentation (30%)

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Swinburne University works to produce higher education graduates who are capable in their chosen profession. Learners bring to Swinburne a diverse wealth of experiences and graduate with individual understandings, abilities and attitudes.

Within this context, HDC002 Methods of Investigation aims to provide students with the following attributes:

Are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas;
Operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations.

Content:

Students will be introduced to various facets of investigation for design, which may include:

Introduction to academic skills;
Varied research methods;
Justification of investigative methods, interpretative frameworks and design decision-making processes;
Creative techniques for exploring design problems;
Ethical issues relating to research investigation and team-work.

Reading Materials:

Laurel, B. (Ed.) (2003). Design Research Methods and Perspectives. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
Lidwell, W., Holden, K., & Butler, J. (2010). Universal Principles of Design. Beverly, MA.: Rockport Publishers.

Additional materials will be available to you on the Blackboard site.