Outline

Overview

Research Methods in Architecture encourages students to advance and apply their knowledge of differing kinds of architectural research: including but not limited to the humanities, social sciences, architectural design, and architectural science. Having become conversant with contemporary conventions, methodologies and modes of expression associated with various research areas, they specialise in one research project that best aligns with their own academic interests. They conceive a topic and frame it appropriately as a coherent, defensible line of inquiry; collect data and evidence; navigate academic databases; prepare a literature review; develop an argument; and clearly express their findings in a scholarly dissertation proposal. Upon completion of this unit of study, students will have prepared their intellectual framework for their Architecture Dissertation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Simon Weir, simon.weir@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Research analysis	Dissertation Proposal Dissertation Proposal including: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Research Framing / Background, Research Question/s, Research Contribution / Significance, Research Plan / Timeline, Bibliography.	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 18 Jun 2026 at 23:59	2-4000 words ( + blbliography)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written test	Interview question exercise Interview question exercise	20%	Week 03 Due date: 12 Mar 2026 at 14:00	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Draft Ethics Application Ethics Application Full ethics application or exemption request to conduct human ethics and publish the results.	30%	Week 08 Due date: 23 Apr 2026 at 09:00	One multi-page PDF, ~10 A4 pages.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Interactive Oral PDF document of a Research Proposal Draft, with evey section complete. Student presents the research in ~5 minutes, and then answer a series of questions about theri research proposal	0%	Week 12 Due date: 21 May 2026 at 14:00	10-15min + PDF	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

The final Assessment is a Research Proposal that the students can execute in their next semester. The Proposal includes: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Research Question, Research Background, Research Contribution, Research Significance, Research Plan, Bibliography.

The first Assessment helps students understand research questions and interview questions.

The second Assessment prepares for their research by engaging with the ethical constraints of research in Australia.

The third Assessment is a hurdle task, a Practice Oral Exam, where students speak about their research in an informed manner, demonstrating competence in their research area by answering questions about their project and the work they undertook to complete it.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High Distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submission In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to the Unit. "What Architectural Research Is (and Is Not)"	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	1. From Research Interests to Research Framing Questions, plus Question Analysis	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	2. Ethics, Interviews, and Architectural Knowledge	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	2. From Research Framing Questions to Academic Research Questions plus Question Analysis	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	3: From Academic Research Questions to Dissertation Questions + Ethics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	3. Critique of Interview Questions and Research Questions	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	4. Literature Reviews + Research Precedents	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	4. Research Questions an Ethics Applications	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	5. Critical Questions and Research Precedents	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	5. Research Questions an Ethics Applications	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	6. Citation Strategies and Non-Traditional Research Outputs	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	6. Review of Interview Questions	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	7. Case Studies of research preparation. Guest lecture on the student experience	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	7. Tutorial auditing research proposals.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	8. Research Interest to Dissertation Questions	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	9. Research Proposal Reviews	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	10. Research Proposal Reviews	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	11. Research Proposal Reviews	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	12. Practice Interactive Oral Exam	Tutorial (5 hr)
Week 13	13. Presentation of Proposals	Tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022

Clause 8 (3) (a). Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study, unless granted exemption.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2013). Architectural Research Methods. (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons (online via Usyd Library)

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate familiarity with broad principles characterising honest, ethical and conscientious research culture and conduct your research in line with these principles.
LO2. select appropriate research methodologies to investigate research questions and apply them with rigor to ensure validity of results.
LO3. demonstrate capacity to produce clear, appropriately framed, and well-structured research proposal.
LO4. articulate original contributions to disciplinary knowledge, demonstrating the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative ways to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the USS survey for ARCH4009 Architectural Research Methods. I greatly appreciate the thoughtful and detailed feedback you provided. I am pleased to see that many of you valued the clear structure of the unit, the scaffolded development of complex research skills, and the way the unit supported the transition from broad research interests to well-formed Honours thesis proposals. Your comments highlight the importance of sustained feedback, architectural writing, and opportunities to engage with interdisciplinary sources, all of which are central aims of this unit. I am also very glad to hear that the extended tutorial time later in the semester supported deeper discussion and proposal development. Your feedback also clearly indicates areas where the unit can be improved. In particular, several of you noted the need for earlier and more explicit guidance on research question formulation, clearer alignment between weekly tutorials and assessment tasks, and stronger support in the early weeks before the unit shifts into more independent, self-directed work. I also acknowledge that the requirement to share emerging research ideas publicly can be stressful for some students, especially early in the semester when projects are still forming. In response to your feedback, the following changes will be implemented in future offerings of ARCH4009: Clearer early-week guidance on research question development and research methods specific to architectural design research. More explicit articulation of how weekly tutorial activities directly support assessment tasks. Thank you again for your engagement and constructive feedback. Your responses play an important role in improving this unit for future cohorts and in strengthening the transition into the Honours dissertation. Kind regards, Simon Weir, Unit of Study Coordinator ARCH4009 Architectural Research Methods

Additional information

None

Canvas Homepage

Additional costs

None

Site visit guidelines

N/A

Work, health and safety

None

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ARCH4009: Research Methods in Architecture

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links