LUP-34306 Advanced Planning and Research Methods

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

An introduction course in research methodology, such as YRM-21306 Research Methodology for Human Environmental Interactons; LUP-32806 Planning Theory.

Contents:

This course focuses on advanced research methods and techniques in spatial planning. The course builds on foundations laid in introduction courses on research methodology and the MSc courses on planning theory and methodology. The course entails a mix of qualitative and quantitative research approaches, with a special emphasis on case study research. Traditional empirical research methods and techniques are combined with contemporary case study and situational analysis.
The course includes a series of workshops and lectures, e.g. about qualitative research design, experiences with case study research in Land Use Planning, doing interviews, and the process and content of an MSc thesis research and internship. PhD students of the Land Use Planning group will present and discuss aspects of their PhD research, included their approach and experiences with different research methods.
The main assignment involves practicing with writing a research proposal, using qualitative (or mixed) research methods. The process of preparing the proposal includes two steps:
1. Preparing a first outline of the content of the proposal, including a problem description, objective and an indicative set of research questions. The topic of the proposal can be a self-chosen topic or derived from the topics presented during an MSc thesis and internship workshop, organized in the first week of the program. The first outline will be reviewed by and discussed with the other students in the course and the lecturers.
2. Preparing a full proposal, based on the feedback of the first step. The full proposal will again be reviewed by the other students and the lecturers in a final discussion meeting. The review and discussion sessions help students to learn to reflect at the use and importance of various research methods, and to choose the appropriate methods and techniques in a given context. The main assignment will be co-supervised by PhD students of the Land Use Planning group.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- distinguish the main approaches to research in the spatial planning domain;
- apply interpretative and descriptive research methods;
- distinguish and apply qualitative research methods, with special emphasis on case study research;
- reflect critically upon the role of communication in planning processes and research;
- reflect critically upon the role of geo-information and planning support tools in spatial planning;
- reflect critically upon the use and interpretation of the discussed methods;
- discuss and present scientific views both orally and in text and express him/herself in the English language;
- demonstrate a critical attitude to planning and research methods;
- produce and present a proposal for his or her master thesis, including an adequately formulated research strategy.

Activities:

- (Guest) lectures;
- practical assignments;
- group discussions;
- self study.

Examination:

The individual grade will be based on a written report, involving a research proposal using qualitative or mixed research methods, with special emphasis on case study research. During the course the student will get feedback on a draft version of the proposal, from fellow classmates and the lecturers, which helps the student to prepare the final proposal. The report has to be submitted at the blackboard of the course, and will automatically be checked for plagiarism by Turn-it-in software.

Literature:

A reader with selected papers.
Cresswell, J.W. (2008). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Approaches. 3rd ed. Sage Publications. 296 p. ISBN-13: 978-1412965576.