Introduces research strategies for landscape architecture
students and thesis as vehicle for documenting research in
landscape planning, design, and management. Course will include
an overview of state of research in the field and introduce
tools of research used in landscape planning and management.
Introduces methods of inquiry appropriate to discipline.
Athena Title
Research Strategies
Prerequisite
Permission of school
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will describe and differentiate nine methods of inquiry appropriate to the discipline of landscape architecture as defined by Deming and Swaffield (2011).
Students will write a research thesis proposal using a required format based on Turabian (2013). Measurement: Preliminary research proposal.
Students will critically analyze an MLA thesis using structure mapping.
Students will present a short summary of research thesis proposal using PowerPoint software. Measurement: PowerPoint presentation.
Students will evaluate research strategies in peer-reviewed research papers of the discipline Measurement: Group discussion and short papers.
Students will differentiate between landscape research activities and other design, planning, and management undertakings.
Students will have the ability to describe and differentiate nine methods of inquiry appropriate to the disciplines of landscape architecture, planning, and management.
Students will identify and choose appropriate research methods or strategies for research questions.
Students will have the ability to plan and design a research thesis project.
Students will critically evaluate published, peer-reviewed, research studies.
Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct a key word search.
Students will identify the issues of current concern within a specific area of interest.
Students will define a focus for a research inquiry and develop a research question.
Students will develop a research question or hypothesis.
Students will demonstrate the ability to formulate a strategy or strategies for research.
Students will demonstrate the ability to write grammatically correct English.
Students will understand the importance of research to the creation of new knowledge for the discipline and profession.
Students will understand the reciprocity between research and creativity and problem-solving in landscape design, planning, and management.
Students will understand the importance of appropriate ethical considerations in research.
Topical Outline
1. Prepared PowerPoint presentations will introduce nine research strategies
or “strategies of inquiry” commonly used in the field of landscape architecture as
specified in Deming and Swaffield’s textbook, Research Strategies: Inquiry, Strategy,
and Design. John Wiley and Sons, 2011, and other relevant topics.
2. Mid-term exam will test for each student’s understanding of the nine research
strategies and when they can be used.
3. Out-of-class assignments that facilitate student’s ability to critically evaluate
published research.
4. Class discussions focused on current published research projects.
5. Student presentations, including the presentation of each student’s research thesis
proposals.
6. Invitations to outside professionals to discuss various topics.
Every student will have developed a preliminary research thesis proposal by the end of
class.
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Creativity & Innovation
The capacity to combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways and the experience of thinking, reacting, and working in an imaginative way characterized by innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
