This research module affords you the opportunity to develop the basis and theory that will underpin your work, which derive from science, cultural theory, technology, architectural history, philosophy or the psychology of perception.

You will hone an argument/proposition/outcome on an area of landscape architectural interest to you. This should arise from your design work when developing BARC0013 Advanced Landscape Design 2 project in Terms 2 and 3.

Specialist tutors, individually allocated in consultation with your Design Studio tutors, will help develop your work in greater depth. The work in the thesis should then inform the design portfolio, and work in the design portfolio will inform the thesis. You will attend and participate in the associated programme of events, including lectures, seminars, reviews and tutorials.

The module accounts for 30% of your work for the year and is a distinct part of the MA and MLA Landscape Architecture degrees. You must pass it independently of all your other work:

The aims are to:

write an illustrated critical evaluation referring to appropriate theoretical and technical sources
	describe experiments, both physical and digital in the document as appropriate
	have your development supported of thee critical position and project narratives in relation to the practice of landscape architecture
Upon completion, you will have gained the following skills:

the ability to produce an argument for the project based on critical reasoning skills, supported by graphic evidence and appropriate research
	knowledge of how to construct a field of historical precedents and theoretical thought that is relevant to the project
	skill in preparing a document, which is well structured and well argued
Assessment:

The module has two assessed submission components: the Research Methods Study (20%) and the Thesis (80%). You must submit both elements in order to pass.

Research Methods Study

This 1500-word study of two research methods sources, selected from the module

Research Methods source literature, will contain the following:

• research methods; an understanding and explanation of what a research method is, and how it relates to a specific research question, area of inquiry, or body of theory

• research contexts; an understanding and explanation of why these research methods are relevant to your own research approaches

Thesis:

You are required to produce a thesis of 7,500 words (or equivalent) using relevant research sources and outcomes, such as 1:1 testing/prototyping processes, diagrams, drawings, records of installations, computer print-outs, and records of experiments.

Your thesis should demonstrate a selected area of study that critically inform, augment or extend your design portfolio in technical, historical and theoretical understanding. Theses that primarily demonstrates expertise in one specialism are encouraged, with guidance from the module coordinators and specialist tutors. Your submission should demonstrate effective and appropriate ‘critical tools’ that aid advanced understandings of landscape architectural design.