| CODE | DGA5010 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Research Methods in Art and Design | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Digital Arts | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Research in art & design involves a cyclic process of practice and reflection which develops both an aesthetic sensibility and the capacity to be creative through an informed standpoint. The tangible outcomes of engagement with these characteristics are equally varied in art and in design, but both require the development of particular cognitive, creative, interdisciplinary and technical/technological qualities. The role of inventiveness and imagination in the creative process is vital in developing the capacities to observe and visualise, to identify and solve problems, and to make critical and reflective judgements. Whilst convergent forms of thinking, which involve rational and analytical skills, are developed in art & design, they are not the only conceptual skills within the repertoire employed by artists and designers. More divergent forms of thinking, which involve generating alternatives and understanding engagement with the media being used, and in which the notion of being 'correct' gives way to broader issues of value, are characteristic of the creative process. Technology has in no small way also shaped the forms of thinking required for the practice of contemporary artists and designers who continually use technology and digital tools on a variety of levels. Artists and designers employ technology in a) art/design that is driven by new technology, that is when technology is directly used in the artwork itself; b) art/design that is inspired by or in reaction to a society as formed through technology or the use of it, this is probably not limited to any one form of expression but alternately acts in response to an increasingly technology-oriented environment; and c) art/design inspired by production techniques and materials, resulting from technological advances, such as digital fabrication or data reconfiguration amongst others. The employment of rapidly-changing technologies within art and design practice has therefore pushed the creative practitioner to always look for innovative tools and solutions, also enabling him/her to develop a critical eye on society. The outcomes of the study and practice of art & design at Masters level also contribute to the creation of new knowledge, to cultural development and to the economic well-being of the individual and of society. In these cases, an understanding of the context of the practice is essential. The study-unit is aimed at enhancing the student’s intellect through critical awareness and providing knowledge of how an individual's practice relates to that of others which is the cornerstone of originality and personal expression. It also promotes interdisciplinary research, creating value from knowledge garnered from diverse areas. Without such knowledge, an individual would not have any sense of the nature of their own creativity nor of the culture in which it is set. Students also understand the broad vocational context within which their study sits and the range of professional practices that inform it such as: anticipating and responding to change, knowledge and application of business systems, public presentation of work, entrepreneurial skills and client/audience negotiation skills. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to: 1) Provide an introduction to key aspects of postgraduate research, including research methods and tools, media and technology application, and ethical and legal questioning; 2) Support students in the development of their research project and approach; 3) Encourage students to reflect critically on the processes of research through practice; 4) Assist students in the articulation of a critical language appropriate to their research aims and interests; 5) Encourage the development of a holistic and supportive practice-based/practice-led research environment; 6) Enable students to learn from interdisciplinary research methodologies and cross-disciplinary communication, which means being familiar with the range of research practices applicable to the sciences, humanities, social sciences, and art and design; 7) Provide pointers to further investigation into appropriate research methods. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Understand the practicalities of research, including creating a structured studio research programme, applying experimental and reflective methods at levels of concept and in the use of traditional media and technology, setting and achieving realistic goals, planning, working in a team, using resources, presentation skills, and meeting institutional requirements and expectations of good practice; 2) Apply the techniques for advancing knowledge and understanding, such as adopting a journalling culture, creating an awareness of structured experimentation, setting up a programme of reading, literature review, techniques of archival research, interviewing, observation studies, ethnographic research, gathering evidence, quantitative methods, and creative practice and design as research; 3) Work with and integrate technology as a tool to further artistic and design practice; 4) Develop a critical framework in which to review research and research methods, taking account of the contested nature of research practice. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Formulate a well grounded Research Proposal for practice-based/practice-led research in art and design; 2) Develop skills in preparing, delivering and documenting a research presentation within a seminar context; 3) Identify ways of coinciding theory, practice, media and technology in order to work in an interdisciplinary approach; 3) Provide an introduction to the broader aspects of developing a theoretical and critical line of enquiry on a range of research related questions related to their subject discipline; 4) Investigate contemporary strategies used by artists and designers to disseminate their research methods and creative practice to audiences through media’s communications vehicles as well as through galleries, site-based / public projects and other interventions. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: MAIN TEXT - Gray, Carole and Malins, Julian (2004). Visualizing Research: A guide to the Research Process in Art and Design. Ashgate. - Leavey, Patricia (2018). Handbook of Arts-based Research. The Guildford Press. - Alexenberg, Melvin L. (2008). Educating artists for the future: learning at the intersections of art, science, technology and culture. Intellect. READING LIST - Balkema, Annette W. (2004). Artistic Research. Rodopi. - Barrett, Estelle and Bolt, Barbara (2007). Practice as Research: Approaches to Creative Arts Enquiry. I.B. Tauris. - Macleod, Katy (2006). Thinking through Art. Routledge. - McNiff, Shaun (1998). Art-based Research. Kingsley. - Gere, Charlie (2006). Art, Time and Technology. Berg. - Gardner, Hazel and Gere, Charlie (2010). Art Practice in a Digital Culture. Ashgate. Other journal articles related to the topic will be made available on the Study-unit e-Learning website. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study and Group Learning | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Trevor Borg Vince Briffa (Co-ord.) Clive Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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