Course Title: Research Methods and Philosophy of Knowledge (12cp)

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Research Methods and Philosophy of Knowledge (12cp)

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

PHIL1000

City Campus

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015

PHIL1008

City Campus

Research

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 1 2016

PHIL1088

RMIT University Vietnam

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Face-to-Face

Viet2 2013

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor David Higgins

Course Coordinator Phone: + 61 3 9925 2214

Course Coordinator Email: david.higgins@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 8.8.09


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.


Course Description

This course introduces the concepts of research and knowledge from a broad philosophical perspective, and moves towards details of literature review, research design, data collection methods, analysis and thesis writing. You will examine philosophical, theoretical, ethical and methodological concepts and processes associated with academic research activities within the disciplines related to the practice of property, construction and project management. You will  also be given the opportunity to define and develop a research problem through your critical and creative analysis of various literature appropriate to your selected topic and justify your theoretical and methodological approach to the research problem you investigate.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Capability Development

For students enrolled in Property and Valuation post graduate programs this course you will develop the following program capabilities:

  • Research, interpret, analyse and synthesise knowledge and information from diverse sources
  • Apply knowledge to undertake critical analysis, diagnose and solve problems
  • Take a strategic perspective with the ability to implement new directions
  • Communicate effectively in a variety of contexts and modes
  • Reflect on the experience of personal and professional practice and act in professional settings responsibly, ethically and with integrity
  • Engage critically with social, environmental and economic policy and frameworks.

For students enrolled in Project Management post graduate Programs this course you will develop the following program capabilities:

  • Knowledge
  • Critical Analysis
  • Creativity
  • Communication


Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

1. Critically analyse and apply industry professional knowledge, theoretical, philosophical,  methodological and ethical concepts towards the development of a research proposal

2. Conduct a literature search of relevant material to enable appreciation, synthesis, conceptualisation and construction of a sustained, logical, creative and complex literary argument to position a research study within a specific disciplinary context

3. Evaluate research strategies and justify a selected methodological approach and method for inquiry to answer a research question derived from professional and theoretical critque

4. Produce a research proposal which describes the rationale of the research problem and analysis of professional significance, the academic scholarly literary context, problem conceptualisation and the research inquiry strategy

5. Appreciate the discourse taking place within a particular field of research and debate and discuss the various arguments in a balanced, authoritative and objective manner


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning in this course will comprise a mix of lectures and tutorials. You will engage in a range of learning activities which may include class discussions and problem based activities.


Overview of Learning Resources

To support your learning, learning resources for this course include a wide range of texts, refereed journal articles and associated materials accessible via the Internet.  As well as these references material is also provided in a Skills Package which includes Lecture Notes and Readings. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. The Blackboard website will include Weekly Study Guides in the form of the Lecture Notes. The site will also contain a list of discussion topics/exercises for Weekly Tutorials

 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities. Assessment may include project based and research assignments.

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consulation.

As a PhD student enrolled in this course you will be required to demonstrate a greater capacity and higher level of learning and intellectual independence for the application, synthesis and evaluation of theory and research methodologies, methods and techniques, and apply these skills and knowledge to independently identify, define and develop your research
topic.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.
An assessment charter (http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1