14397 - Research Methodology and Thesis Preparation Modulübersicht

Module Number: 14397
Module Title:Research Methodology and Thesis Preparation
  Forschungsmethoden und Vorbereitung der Masterarbeit
Department: Faculty 6 - Architecture, Civil Engineering and Urban Planning
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. phil. Adam, Jens
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every winter semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:

Through attendance of this module, students develop the competencies required for the successful completion of a Master’s thesis. The module familiarises students with the range of research methods employed across the disciplines contributing to World Heritage Studies and supports them in formulating a coherent and researchable question. Students learn to design, plan, and carry out empirical research in a manner appropriate to their research question and within a feasible time frame. Particular emphasis is placed on situating individual research projects within relevant and contemporary theoretical debates, and on establishing a clear analytical relationship between empirical material, methodological choices, and conceptual frameworks.

Contents:

This module introduces strategies and approaches to the formulation of research problems and questions, literature reviews, and the selection and application of qualitative and quantitative research methods relevant to a student’s respective research focus. Based on individual research interests, the module guides students in their research design, data collection and analysis, ethical considerations, academic writing conventions, and the consideration of feasibility and relevance of their thesis work. It puts particular attention to the interdependence of research aims, conceptual frameworks, research questions, and empirical implementation. The module also provides assistance in considering thesis structures, the development of argumentation and academic citation practices. By means of a peer review process, students will gain the opportunity to present their thesis ideas and receive support in the development of a viable and well-grounded master’s thesis proposal.

Recommended Prerequisites:

none

Mandatory Prerequisites:

none

Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Seminar / 4 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 120 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:

  • Maxwell, Joseph A. (2012): Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach. Los Angeles et al.: Sage.

  • King, Rachel & Trinida Rico (2024, eds.): Methods and Methodologies in Heritage Studies. London: UCL Press.

  • Stig Sørensen, Marie Louise & John Carman (2009, eds.): Heritage Studies. Methods and Approaches. London & New York: Routledge.

  • Waterton, Emma & Steve Watson (2015, eds.): The Palgrave Handbook of Contemporary Heritage Research. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:
  • Successive development of a coherent research design, including preparatory steps such as the production of a mind map or the writing of memos. (Scale depends on the individual research design and will be discussed in class); 50%
  • Presentation of the proposed research project in the seminar in the form of an academic presentation. (max. 30min), 50%
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:None
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Master (research-oriented) / World Heritage Studies / PO 2026
Remarks:

In  the event that the module cannot be taught or tested according to the present description (e.g. for reasons of infection protection), the alternatives communicated on relevant platforms (e.g. homepage of Moodle) apply.

The module may be delivered in a hybrid format where appropriate.

Module Components:

seminar

Components to be offered in the Current Semester: