MS Thesis Planning, Research and Methodology Workshop

2 Credits

Dr Mukesh Patel 28th Dec 2015

MS students (Semester 4: Jan 5-12th 2016), CEPT Course Outline and Session Plan

Workshop Objective: Refresh basics of knowledge building and scientific inquiry; provide a better
overall understanding of the nature of academic research; get a thorough understanding of the
knowledge building process: including, knowing the field, generating and refining ideas/concepts,
determining appropriate approach and methodology, data/information collection and analysis, and
communicating research. Also develop and reinforce skills for critical evaluation of
academic/professional publications.
Learning Outcomes: Acquire practical skills for knowledge building, design/policy development and
research process in ARCHITECTURE/PLANNING/DESIGN; acquire or improve reading, analytical and
critical evaluation skills.

Pre-SESSION ASSIGNMENT 1:
1-

Read Handouts (sent by email):

1- Guidelines for Analyses and Assessment of Academic Inquiry or Research
2- How do I Write a Thesis Statement
3- Brainstorming Fundamentals

2- Visit recommended websites on Mind Maps:

http://www.studentartguide.com/articles/how-to-make-a-mindmap-creative-ideas
http://www.mindmapping.com/
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm
3- Based on these students are encouraged to review and refine proposed MS Thesis Topic
and/or Abstract.

SESSION 1 KNOWLEDGE BUILDING PROCESS IN ARCHITECTURE/PLANNING/DESIGN

JOINT SESSION - Tuesday 5th Jan 2016 (9am)

Brief overview of the nature and process of science and its relevance for CEPT MS
students.
Highlight key concepts of academic study/inquiry/research Purpose;
communication/dissemination; validation; integrity; and professional ethics.
In-class Review: Guidelines for Analyses and Assessment of Academic Inquiry or
Research and How do I Write a Thesis Statement?
DISCUSSION: Purpose of publications in ARCHITECTURE/PLANNING/DESIGN

ASSIGNMENT 2 Based on Guidelines for Analyses and Assessment of Academic Inquiry or

Research, How do I Write a Thesis Statement handouts generate and/or reformulate Thesis
Topic/Statement/Idea and proposed approach and method (some to be reviewed in the SESSION 2).

Post Grad Thesis Planning and Methods Workshop - Copyright Mukesh Patel

SESSION 2 CONDUCTING THE KNOWLEDGE BUILDING PROCESS

JOINT SESSION - Wednesday 6th Jan 2016 (9am)

Importance of knowing the state-of-the-art in the field/topic/idea.

Process of determining appropriate approach and method for thesis topic/idea/statement.
Data/Information gathering - Case-based methodology and its relevance for Architecture,
Planning and Design (contrast with scientific research method).
Analysis and Inferences/Conclusions.
Value of drafting an outline and/or an abstract.

ASSIGNMENT 3 Apply the How do I make my thesis statement Strong (subsection in How to Write
a Thesis Statement) to your MS Thesis Proposals. Critically review appropriateness of
Approach/Method vis--vis thesis topic/statement for presentation in SESSION 3.
ASSIGNMENT 4 SELECT TWO ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS relevant to your MS Thesis Topic and write
ONE Paragraph synthesized summary of both. Use the Synthesise Grid Handout. To be reviewed in
SESSION 4.
HANDOUTS:
How to Write a Thesis Statement Subsection How do I make my thesis statement Strong
Template for Analyzing the LOGIC of an Article/Essay
Article Synthesis Grid

SESSION 3 REVIEW OF PROPOSED THESIS TOPICS

SESSION 3a SESSION 3b SESSION 3c -

Thursday 7th Jan 2016 (9am)

Thursday 7th Jan 2016 (3pm)
Friday 8th Jan 2016 (3pm)

In-class Review of proposed MS Thesis topics and associated approach and method. This will
include very short (2/3 min) presentations.
The outcome would be a deeper understanding of the importance of the following:
1- Iterative process of idea generation as a result of critical review of question/topic to address
the research focus. Utility of brainstorming and awareness of the state-of-art in the chosen
field.
2- Fine tuning the question/topic/idea and determining the appropriate/applicable approach
method of study/investigation; role of other relevant knowledge/publications in helping
with this process. Utility of literature survey and review, Mind Maps, etc.
3- Appreciate the importance of systematic and methodological approach to knowledge
gathering, sampling, data collection, etc. WHAT; WHERE; WHO and HOW? Importance of
this for other academics and/or verification.
4- Analysis of data with respect to research question/topic; weighting/evaluating evidence
applicable in verifying/refuting research question/issue.
5- Drawing valid conclusion or inferences supported by analysis. How this is part of the
collective knowledge building process.
In-class Review: Template for Analyzing the LOGIC of an Article/Essay/Publication

Post Grad Thesis Planning and Methods Workshop - Copyright Mukesh Patel

ASSIGNMENT 5 SELECT TWO ARTICLES/ESSAY (Publications in a peer reviewed and respected

journals) in any area of architecture/planning/design and Apply template to analyse it. Apply
Template for Analyzing the LOGIC of an Article/Essay/Publication for review in SESSION 4.
HANDOUTS:
Critical Thinking - Concepts and Tools (for SESSION 6)
Peer Review Worksheets (for SESSION 6)

SESSIONS 4 CLOSE READING AND CRITICAL EVALUATION OF ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

SESSION 4a SESSION 4b SESSION 4c

Monday 11th Jan 2016 (9am)

Monday 11th Jan (3pm)
Tuesday 12th 2016 (9am)

In-class Review of analysis/assessment of chosen papers (are per Template for Analyzing
the LOGIC of an Article/Essay/Publication)
In depth evaluation of selected papers with respect to:
1- Inquiry or Research focus/topic
2- Review approach and method and data collection and analysis
3- Review discussion of analysis, inferences and conclusion
In-class Review of ONE paragraph synthesis of two articles relevant to their research
topic/question.

SESSION 5 - REVIEW OF REVISED THESIS PROPOSAL and EVALUATION ASSIGNMENT

JOINT SESSION - Tuesday 12th 2016 (3pm)

In-class Review of Critical Thinking - Concepts and Tools.

Review of selected design/research/thesis proposal and proposed methods, etc.
Recap of nature of scientific/academic research and communication.
Key elements of the knowledge building process with respect to
ARCHITECTURE/PLANNING/DESIGN.
GENERAL DISCUSSION and Q and A.

List of Handouts (written, complied, edited by Mukesh Patel):

12345678-

Guidelines for Analyses and Assessment of Academic Inquiry or Research Dec 2015
How do I Write a Thesis Statement Dec 2015
Brainstorming Fundamentals Dec 2015
How Do I know if my Thesis is STRONG Dec 2015
Template for Analyzing the LOGIC of an Article/Essay Dec 2015
Article Synthesis Grid Dec 2015
Critical Thinking - Concepts and Tools Dec 2015
Peer Review Worksheets Dec 2015

Post Grad Thesis Planning and Methods Workshop - Copyright Mukesh Patel