Postgraduate Course: Design Research Thinking and Methodologies (DESI11086)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | A variety of research methodologies and theories will be discussed, along with the possible aims and outcomes different approaches may lead to. |
| Course description |
The broad themes of this course are designed to encourage you to critically re-examine the production, distribution and consumption of your work. A key objective here is to promote innovative, experimental and ambitious research that relates to academic study and creative practice at the forefront of your field.
The course aims:
- to introduce you to a variety of research method case studies appropriate to study in design at postgraduate doctoral level and generate awareness of the links between contexts, theory, practice and creative post-graduate research.
- to encourage interdisciplinary approaches and an enthusiasm for theoretical and practical experimentation based on rigorous research skills.
- to enhance your skills of critical analysis and evaluation and allow you to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is only available to research students in the School of Design and School of Art.
This Course does not require any additional costs to be met by the Student. |
| Additional Costs | This Course does not require any additional costs to be met by the Student. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | This course is only available to research students in the School of Design and School of Art. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 35 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
You will be required to submit an essay which attributes to 100% of the overall course mark. |
| Feedback |
You will receive written summative feedback. Formative feedback will be given verbally at a mid semester review seminar / presentation. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Research: Show a critical understanding of research methods that are appropriate to the materials, techniques and theories you engage with in your practice.
- Analyse: Demonstrate how you have reviewed, developed and structured your practice in ways that are informed by original, creative and pertinent research.
- Synthesise & Communicate: Display imagination, resourcefulness and initiative in the written, spoken and visual communication of your current research ideas.
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Reading List
Indicative Bibliography
Alto, Palo, 2003. IDEO Methods Cards: 51 Ways to Inspire Design. IDEO (ISBN 0954413210)
Appadurai, A., 1986. The Social Life of Things. Cambridge: Cambridge UP.
Blaxter, L. et al., 2001. How to Research. Buckingham: OUP.
Burns, R. B., 2000. Introduction to Research Methods. London: SAGE.
Gray, C., 2004. Visualizing Research: A Guide to the research process in Art and Design.
Aldershot: Ashgate.
Ingold, T. and Hallam, E. (eds), 2007. Creativity and Cultural Improvisation. Oxford: Berg.
Papademus, D (ed), 2004. Ethics in Visual Research (special issue). Visual Studies 19(2).
Laurel, Brenda (ed.), 2003. Design Research: Methods and Perspectives.The MIT Press.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course aims to improve your communication skills, time management and reflective analysis. |
| Keywords | Design,Research Thinking,Research Methodologies |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Nichola Dobson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5964
Email: N.Dobson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Emma Binks
Tel: (0131 6)51 5735
Email: Emma.Binks@ed.ac.uk |
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