Design and Built Environment Research Methods
PostgraduateCUR-DBE6002025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2026 course intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Design and Built Environment Research Methods
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- contextualise and conceptualise a research topic related to built environment disciplines
- synthesise and critically evaluate academic literature as a foundation for a research project
- critically evaluate the appropriateness of research methods and develop research tools for addressing design and built environment problems
- articulate ethical implications related to research subject and processes of research
- Research basics
- Survey methods & Questionnaire design
- Basic Statistics
- Interviews, Focus Groups & Delphi Methods
- Quantitative Analysis
- Qualitative Analysis
- Using secondary data and texts in research
- Place Based Methods
- Creative Practice Design
- Participatory Research
- Research Ethics
- Research Design and Practice
In this subject students are introduced to the concepts, methods, tools and techniques of research and investigation in design and built environment. Identification and formulation of a research problem, a research design and methodology and a literature review are expected outcomes of this subject.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.
- Literature Review (40%)
- Framing Research (40%)
- Ethical Considerations (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- CUR-URP-MAS-2025 - Master of Urban and Regional Planning
- CUR-MAA-MAS-2025 - Master of Architecture
- CUR-SCP-MAS-2025 - Master of Environment and Climate Emergency
Elective
- CUR-PRM-MAS-2025 - Master of Science (Project Management)
- CUR-SCP-GDI-2025 - Graduate Diploma in Environment and Climate Emergency
- CUR-SCP-GCE-2025 - Graduate Certificate in Environment and Climate Emergency
- CUR-PRM-GDI-2025 - Graduate Diploma in Project Management
- CUR-FAST-MAS-2025 - Fast track your Curtin on campus study (Postgraduate)
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - continual broadband access and email address
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
PostgraduateCUR-URP-MAS
PostgraduateCUR-MAA-MAS
Master of Environment and Climate Emergency
PostgraduateCUR-SCP-MAS
Graduate Diploma in Environment and Climate Emergency
PostgraduateCUR-SCP-GDI
Graduate Certificate in Environment and Climate Emergency
PostgraduateCUR-SCP-GCE
Fast track your Curtin on campus study (Postgraduate)
PostgraduateCUR-FAST-MAS