| CODE | SPI5101 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Planning Methods: Research Methods for Planning | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Spatial Planning and Infrastructure | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is designed to assist students in acquiring and developing a working knowledge of research methods in the social sciences. It covers a selection of methods from both the ‘quantitative’and ‘qualitative’ schools, which the students should expect to make use of in their academic and professional work. The students will examine the strengths and criticisms of research methods and techniques and develop the skills required for the formulation and implementation of different types of research programmes that would normally be required prior to the making of plans and policies and the taking of decisions. Moreover the unit aims to develop the student’s ability to conduct and report a scientific study as well as to evaluate and use established literature on which to base research. Study-unit Aims To provide students with tools related to research methods, which would be used for research connected with both their academic work and, later, their professional assignments. The effectiveness of research is based on the identification and development of methods and tools which are appropriate for specific research projects or programmes. The unit will enable the students acquire and develop the abilities through which they would: 1. analyse critically existing literature related to research methods; 2. identify and describe the problems and issues to be investigated, formulate research questions, and determine the goals and objectives of research of specific research projects or programmes; 3. develop research methodologies which would appropriate to the set research questions; 4. outline scientific approaches and methods for research design, and data collection, analysis, and interpretation; and 5. review the strengths and weakness of specific qualitative and quantitative approaches and how such approaches can be used effectively, either individually or in combination with others. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. identify the steps to follow when conducting research projects or programmes; 2. evaluate the quality of existing research, and to frame such research with reference to the issue or problem under consideration; 3. differentiate between qualitative and quantitative research methods, together with their strengths and weaknesses, with reference to specific issues and problems; 4. be knowledgeable of ethical issues related to specific research projects or programmes; 5. describe aspects of validity and reliability related to the adopted research method or combination of methods; and 6. structure and prepare research reports. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. formulate research questions, which would be appropriate for the specific issues or problems being investigated; 2. design and develop effective research projects and programmes that would be based either on individual qualitative or quantitative methods or on combinations of such methods; 3. analyse the collected data using the appropriate methods; 4. draw responsible conclusions, being aware of the limitations of the research methods that would have been made use of; 5. present the collected data and results in different forms, drawing conclusions within the limitations of the data and the used research methods; 6. relate research results to existing literature; and 7. propose actions and policy recommendations based on the research results obtained. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings Bracken, I. (2008). Urban Planning Methods: Research and Policy Analysis. Abingdon: Routledge. Brett Davis, M. (2007). Doing a Successful Research Project: Using Qualitative or Quantitative Methods. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Cresswell, J. W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (Third ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Dawson, C. (2009). Introduction to Research Methods: A Practical Guide for Anyone Undertaking a Research Project (Fourth ed.). Oxford: How To Books Ltd. Jackson, S. L. (20101). Research Methods: A Modular Approach (Second ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co Inc. Wang, X., & Hofe, R. (2007). Research Methods in Urban and Regional Planning. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | |||||||||
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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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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