COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: RESEARCH METHODS

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 410	A	2	3	0	0	3	6

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	NA
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Assoc.Prof.Dr. Odeta Manahasa odurmishi@epoka.edu.al
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Master of Science in Architecture
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	N/A
Course Description:	-
Course Objectives:	1. Alternative research strategies and research to the student of architecture spread over a wide range of research methods into the more simple ones to complex techniques, aimed to identify in a systematic manner. 2. One problem of converting a research problem, making the ability to discuss and provide written. 3. When designing the research student, a variety of information gathering, information analysis and evaluation methods and techniques to understand the basic properties of weak and strong sides and choose to use a critical perspective evaluate. 4. The course dealt with issues considered to illustrate applications

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	methods of inquiry
2	research in architecture
3	research methodology
4	data analysis
5	quantitative research
6	qualitative research
7	academic conference
8	academic research paper

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Concept of research, its types and techniques, various approaches to research problem
2	Quantitative and qualitative research problem
3	Problem definition and objective statement of research
4	Stating hypothesis, research design, content, procedures, and time planning of research
5	Strategies, methods and techniques of data gathering, data analysing, hypothesis testing
6	Comparison
7	Classification and evaluation in research
8	Statistical techniques: Parametric and non-parametric data analysis
9	Basic statistics
10	Correlation, regression, variate data analysis
11	Advanced statistics for data analysing, hypothesis testing, classification etc.
12	Communicating the research results: Techniques of writing report
13	Articles and papers
14	Problems of reliability and validity in research

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook(s):	Floyd, J. Fowler, Survey Research Methods, Los Angeles Sage Publication, 2009 Zeisel, J., (1981), "Inquiry by Design: Tools for Environment-Behavior Research", Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Creswell, John W., "Research Design: Qualitative & Quantitative Approaches", Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications, 1994
Additional Literature:	Creswell, John W., "Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Tradition"s, Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications, 1998
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	The ability to use theoretical and practical knowledge of architectural design
2	Interpreting and forming new types of knowledge by combining the knowledge from various other disciplines
3	Solving the problems by making use of the research methods
4	Systematically presenting new strategic approaches by supporting qualitative and quantitative data, in written, oral and visual form to the groups in and out of the area
5	Paying regard to social, scientific, cultural and ethical values during the collecting, interpreting, practicing and announcing processes of the area related data

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Master of Science in Architecture Program
1	Speaking and Writing Skills Ability to read, write, listen, and speak effectively	5
2	Critical Thinking Skills Ability to raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test them against relevant criteria and standards	5
3	Graphics Skills Ability to use appropriate representational media, including freehand drawing and computer technology, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process
4	Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work	5
5	Formal Ordering Systems Understanding of the fundamentals of visual perception and the principles and systems of order that inform two- and three-dimensional design, architectural composition, and urban design
6	Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites
7	Collaborative Skills Ability to recognize the varied talent found in interdisciplinary design project teams in professional practice and work in collaboration with other students as members of a design team	4
8	International Traditions Understanding of the International architectural canons and traditions in architecture, landscape and urban design, as well as the climatic, technological, culture-economic, and other cultural factors that have shaped and sustained them	2
9	National and Regional Traditions Understanding of national traditions and the local regional heritage in architecture, landscape design and urban design, including the vernacular tradition	2
10	Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects	2
11	Conservation and Restoration of Historical Districts Knowledge on historical districts and the gain of conservation consciousness documentation of historical buildings and the understanding the techniques which are needed to prepare restoration projects.
12	Human Behavior Understanding of the theories and methods of inquiry that seek to clarify the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment	4
13	Human Diversity Understanding of the diverse needs, values, behavioral norms, physical ability, and social and spatial patterns that characterize different cultures and individuals and the implication of this diversity for the societal roles and responsibilities of architects

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Homework	5	6
Presentation	1	15
Term Paper	1	45
Attendance		10
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	3	48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	16	3	48
Mid-terms	1	9	9
Assignments	5	4	20
Final examination	1	25	25
Other			0
Total Work Load:			150
Total Work Load/25(h):			6
ECTS Credit of the Course:			6

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

we had a good start for the thesis work that comes in the other term