Thesis Preparation: An Introduction to Research Strategies
HIPR 6900
3 hours
Thesis Preparation: An Introduction to Research Strategies
Course Description
Introduces the thesis as a vehicle for designing and implementing a research project within the context of historic preservation. Basic research methods (qualitative, quantitative, mixed) are considered together with research tools commonly employed in historic preservation (oral history, archival collections). Students apply this theory through the development of an individual thesis proposal.
Athena Title
Research Strategies
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will gain knowledge to further an understanding of the tools of research.
Students will gain knowledge to learn how to plan a thesis research project.
Students will gain knowledge to learn how to choose a research methodology.
Students will gain knowledge to further an understanding of various methods of data collection.
Students will gain knowledge to further an understanding of the range of qualitative methods of inquiry and when they are the appropriate choice including the case study, ethnography, phenomenological inquiry, grounded theory study and design research.
Students will gain knowledge to further an understanding of how to do historical research for a thesis.
Students will gain knowledge to further an understanding of the range of quantitative methods of inquiry and when they are the appropriate choice including descriptive research and experimental and ex post facto designs.
Students will know how to select and summarize of an area of interest.
Students will know how to identify the issues of current concern within that area.
Students will know how to define a focus for the thesis inquiry.
Students will know how to develop a series of questions to guide the research.
Students will know how to organize these questions into a thesis proposal.
Students will know how to choose a research methodology.
Students will know how to use Endnotes or an equivalent program to compile an annotated bibliography.
Students will gain an appreciation of the reciprocity between research and creativity in environmental design.
Students will learn the importance of ethical issues involved in research and writing.
Topical Outline
- Types of Theses
- Thesis versus Project
- Creative Exploration of Physical Design Issues
- Scholarly Examination of Ideas
- Empirical and Experimental Research
- Technological and Methodological Development
- The Case Study Method
- Using Surveys
- Getting help with statistics
- Case Studies of completed theses from the program
- Nuts and Bolts of thesis production
METHODS:
Class lectures and discussions will focus on research content
which will then be applied by each student to their individual
research topic. Classes will also include review and critique
of case study research and each student’s evolving thesis
proposal. Individual appointments with the instructor will
further clarify the thesis proposal. Out-of-class work will
include library research and writing. By the end of the
semester each student will submit a written thesis proposal.
TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES:
Recommended Text:
Paul Leedy and Jeanne Ormrod. 2005. Practical Research:
Planning and Design. 8th edition. Pearson, Merrill Prentice
Hall.
Kate L. Turabian. 2007. A Manual for Writers of Research
Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students
and Researchers 7th edition. University of Chicago Press.
John Zeisel. 2006. Inquiry by Design: Environment, Behavior,
Neuroscience in Architecture, Interiors, Landscape, and
Planning. Revised Edition. W.W. Norton & Company.
