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. |
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
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| 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: |
Course secretary | Miss Emma Binks
Tel: (0131 6)51 5735
Email: |
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