RESEARCH SUPERVISION Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Department of Architecture Academic Leadership Programme – 7 August 2013 Prof. Gerald

RESEARCH SUPERVISION

Faculty of Engineering and the Built EnvironmentDepartment of Architecture

Academic Leadership Programme – 7 August 2013 Prof. Gerald Steyn

CONTENTS


1. Why research and supervision?

2. Art, architecture and science

3. Overcoming obstacles

4. Supervision styles and intensity

5. Role of the supervisor

6. Intellectual maturity

7. References

WHY RESEARCH AND SUPERVISION?


1. Commitment: teaching, research, community engagement

2. To be part of a community of scholars (internationally too)

3. Applied research contributes to solving real-life problems

4. Research and research supervision are synonymous

5. Personal: curiosity-driven research is stimulating

6. Self-development – enriching

ART, ARCHITECTURE AND SCIENCE


The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious –the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science.Albert Einstein

Architecture is of all the arts the one nearest to a science, for every architectural design is at its inception dominated by scientific considerations. The inexorable laws of gravitation and of statics must be obeyed by even the most imaginative artist in building.Anonymous

Supervision and Research at Architecture


BUILDING TYPE

OBJECTIVES & ISSUES

RESEARCH CONCEPT

DESIGNDEVELOPMENT

Group sessions

Presentations in front of group

Neutral examination settings

Rehearsing creates confidence

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES


Aim not clearly understood

Lack of communication

Bad self-management

Language problem

Fear of writing

Perfectionism

Depression and despondency

Lack of study experience

Intellectual level and needs

Topic analysis, thematic focus

Regular interaction, group meetings

Programme, time management

Write in mother tongue and translate

Template, writing exercises

Quick and messy first draft

Supervisor as counsellor

Selection, bridging preparation

Supervision style and intensity

SUPERVISION STYLES AND INTENSITY


ADVISOR INVOLVEMENT

High Low

STU

DENT INVOLVEMENT

High 1.

Mentoring2.

Coaching

Low 3.

Apprentice-ship

4.Unadvisable

ROLE OF THE SUPERVISOR


1. Preparing for the role

2. Selection of the topic (before research has begun)

3. During the research

4. At the writing stage

1. PREPARING FOR THE ROLE


Appropriate qualifications

Read extensively on subject, training, workshops

Internalise and formulate own position

Write study guide

Supportive, energetic, caring attitude

Develop own position


Philosophy – own research vis-à-vis social contract

Strategy – questions and sub-questions vs. aim and objectives

Tactic – hypothesis vs. argument, rationale or theory

Courage – creative solutions and leaps of imagination

Assertiveness – write guide book

Credibility – high quality international conferences

21st century – be flexible!

2. SELECTION OF THE TOPIC


Niche Area themes and topics

Contribution to own research (acknowledge!)

Interesting, relevant and needed

Achievable in time frame

Availability of resources and funding

Matches student’s capabilities

Availability of specialist expertise

Professional usefulness

Formulating the aim


I am studying

because I want to find out

in order to

by

(justification)

(how?)

Tswana architecture

more about the history, typology and technologyexpand my knowledge ofvernacular African architecture

Searching literature Surveying sites

Interviewing community elders

The literature survey


Clarity on problem

State of the art

Significant prior research

No quilting!

Develop a narrative

3. DURING THE RESEARCH


Structured programme of progress

Clear research plan

Aggressive follow-up on deadlines

Guard against too much control of process

Collecting data is not research – insist on critical thinking

Professionalism essential – punctuality, responsiveness

2013year programme

No STAGE ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES DATE WEEKS

1 ADMINISTRATIVE Information session and registration. Hand out of Design VI start-up project

31 Jan —

2

DESIGN THESIS BRIEF/

START-UP ASSIGNMENT

Thesis candidates to hand in briefs See objectives, outputs and assessment criteria. Candidates’ briefs to be distributed as Assignment #

14 Feb Two

3DESIGN CONCEPT PRESENTATION

Candidates submit design concepts and accompanying information, including 500 word rationale.

Design review [crit] sessions to be arranged.

6-7 Mar Three

6 COLLOQUIUM

The purpose of the colloquium is to evaluate the status of of the following: (1) Rationale, objectives & issues; (2) Precedent studies; (3) Site appraisal, (4) Programme & accommodation; (6) Technical resolution.

11 Apr Five

7INTERIM ASSESSMENT

Supervisors must assess progress since the colloquium, and report in writing to the HoD and the PG coordinator.

At this stage supervisors may advise that a candidate should be withdrawn from the examination process

17 Jun Nine +

8DRAFT THESIS DOCUMENT

From 18 June complete design and the document and submit to supervisor

18 Jul Four

9TECHNICAL EXAMINATION

Focus on technical documentation from 19 July up to the exam.

3 Sep Seven

10THESIS DOCUMENT FOR PROOF READING

Supervisors to complete review of drafts by 1 August.

From 2 August to 17 September make time to respond to supervisors’ comments.

Submit document for language editing. Also submit one page illustrated abstract

18 Sep Two

11PREPARING FOR SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENT

From 18 September onwards candidates must finish their improved drawings and models for inclusion in the thesis document.

Editors to return all manuscripts by 9 October.

9 Oct Three

12FINAL THESIS DOCUMENT

From 9 October onwards, respond to language editor and print and bind four copies.

Refine drawings and models to be included in document.

Submit final document for distribution to external examiners, as well as abstract by 12:00 (No late submissions will be allowed!)

31 Oct Three

13PREPARING FOR THE EXAM

From 31 October onwards candidates must finish their poster presentations and PowerPoints.

Presentations must be rehearsed. All exhibitions must be in place at 16:00 on 19 Nov.

Three

14 EXAMINATION This will be either a one or two-day event, depending on the number of candidates.

20-21 Nov


COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION

Methodology

Quantitative Qualitative Mixed

Method(s)

Descriptive Historical Experimental

Technique(s)

Literature & precedent Interviews & questionnaires Measured -/photo surveys

Research design

4. AT THE WRITING STAGE


Outlining and templates – maintain the big picture

Academic grammar and style

Writing attitude – demystify the process

Professional editing and proofreading

WIST – Would I Say That?

Outlining a thesis/dissertation


Method of investigation Review of the literature Current dispensation Analysis and Findings

Introduction

Conclusions and recommendations

Proposed dispensation

Depending on the discipline/level/theme/topic:

Grammar and style


Conventions prescribed by TUT

Conciseness and simplicity is critical

Quotations distract from academic appearance

Rules for sentence length, paragraph construction, etc.

Academic quality writing

Author remains anonymous – use ‘I’ with great care!


Writing attitude and tools

Outline contents – process seldom linear

Templates can be helpful

Start ‘quick and messy’ – psychological and practical value

Avoid personal opinions / value judgments

Write to support the focus – ask ‘so what?’

Consolidate data into graphics – insert after relevant text

Graphics are not decorations – always reference + caption

Plan the next session – park ‘downhill’


The value of graphics

Feedback and paper trail

INTELLECTUAL MATURITY –A CRITICAL SELF EVALUATION


1. What did I try to achieve?

2. Why did I do it?

3. How did I do it?

4. What kind of results did I get?

5. What do the results mean?

REFERENCES


Bolker, Joan. 1998. Writing your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutesa Day. New York: Henry Holt.

Creswell, John. 2009. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative,and Mixed Method Approaches. London: Sage.

Davis, Gordon and Parker, Clyde. 1997. Writing the DoctoralDissertation: A Systematic Approach. New York: Barron’s.

Single, Peg. 2010. Demystifying Dissertation Writing: A Streamlined Process. Sterling: Stylus.

Van der Westhuizen, Gert. 2013. Research methods: Design,Supervision and Publications. Johannesburg: Belvica.

Documents

RESEARCH SUPERVISION Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Department of Architecture Academic Leadership Programme – 7 August 2013 Prof. Gerald