Research in Construction (ABPL90358)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject critically reviews established and emerging research areas in the field of construction. This is accompanied by an exposition of the underlying research objectives, the methods in use or required, and the challenges and limitations of the methods.
Designed as an advanced, hands-on introduction to the culture and protocols of disciplinary research in construction, the subject has two aims: 1) To equip students with the skills necessary to conduct rigorous and original research; 2) To provide them with an opportunity to develop a scholarly foundation and a theoretical framework for an investigation of their choice.
The subject concentrates on the preliminary stages of research, from defining a research question through to planning and commencing the research. The product of their work constitutes the basis for original empirical research project conducted in ABPL90359 Research Practicum in Construction and forms an integral part of the final research report of that subject.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Provide students with a broad understanding of objectives, hurdles and strategies of research in construction fields;
- Facilitate critical thinking and analytical ability in the construction discipline;
- Develop appropriate research questions and hypotheses;
- Seek out, evaluate and retrieve information, using appropriate research methods, from multiple sources;
- Comprehend complex concepts and to express them lucidly, orally and textually;
- Understand the ethics associated with knowledge acquisition and usage;
- Provide training in research topic definition, literature reviewing, research planning and development, and report writing.
Generic skills
On completion of the subject students should have developed the skills required to:
- Written and graphic communication of ideas
- Development of logical arguments
- Textual (and other information) analysis
- Critical evaluation of policies and practices
- Use of citations and sources
Last updated: 2 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students must meet one of the following prerequisite options:
Option 1
Admission into one of the following:
- 200pt Program course entry point in the MC-CM Master of Construction Management
- GC-ENVDES Graduate Certificate in Environmental Design
- 300pt Program course entry point in the MC-ARCHCM Master of Architecture/Master of Construction Management
- 300pt Program course entry point in the MC-CMPROP Master of Construction Management/Master of Property
Option 2
Admission into one of the following:
- 300pt Program course entry point in the MC-CM Master of Construction Management
- 400pt Program course entry point in the MC-ARCHCM Master of Architecture/Master of Construction Management
- 400pt Program course entry point in the MC-CMPROP Master of Construction Management/Master of Property
AND
Six of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABPL90086 | Environmental Systems | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ABPL90290 | Fundamentals of Built Environment Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ABPL90292 | Construction of Buildings | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ABPL90293 | Steel and Composite Construction Systems | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ABPL90312 | Cost Management | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ABPL90313 | Management of Construction | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ABPL90324 | Materials and Structures | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ABPL90335 | Contract Management | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Option 3
Written approval from the Course coordinator
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABPL90066 | MSD Research Project Short (12.5 Points) | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ABPL90067 | MSD Thesis -Semester Long (25 Points) |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
ABPL90217 MSD Minor Thesis
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 2 April 2025
Assessment
Semester 2
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Preliminary problem definition and literature review on the topic defined by the student in consultation with the subject coordinator
| Week 6 | 15% |
An oral presentation about the research and its design, presented at the simulated Research in Construction Conference
| Week 10 | 20% |
A scholarly report containing: problem statement, literature review, research question, and the research design on a topic defined by the student in consultation with the subject coordinator, and establishing the basis for the empirical work that would be carried out in ABPL90359 - Research Practicum in Construction
| Week 12 | 65% |
Last updated: 2 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Andre Stephan Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025
Time commitment details
170 Hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 2 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 2 April 2025