307756 (v.1) Planning Research Methods 512

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Area:	Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Credits:	25.0
Contact Hours:	4.0
Lecture:	1 x 1 Hours Weekly
Tutorial:	1 x 3 Hours Weekly
Syllabus:	Extension of the consideration of types of data available from statistical to non-statistical sources, and examination of the appropriateness of these two different types of research. Design of a total research program and its implementation and relationship to a choice of a planning report or project topic.
Unit Outcomes:	Upon completion of this unit the student will have - Developed an appreciation of a variety of research methods and their application to urban and regional planning. Developed practical skills including the use of a variety of library materials includingabstracts, databases and journals and research design examining setting research questions and a theoretical framework for a report/project. Developed skills in the development and documentation of literature surveys and quantitative research techniquesand appropriate sampling, questionnaire design and analysis. Gained skills in qualitative research including interviews and focus groups and the analysis of resultant data. Developed skills in interpretative and action research including reading texts and observation and putting a research plan together. Production of a comprehensive research proposal and literature review forming the basis of the Planning Report and Project 611 undertaken during the final semester of the course.
Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.
Unit References:	Barbour, R. and Kitzinger, J. (1998). Doing Focus Group Research. Sage. Black, T. (1998). Doing Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences. Sage. Blaikie, N. (2000). Designing Social Research. Polity. Denzin, N. and Lincoln, Y. (2000). Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage. Hart, C. (1998). Doing a Literature Review. Sage. Kitchin, R. and Tate, N. (2000). Conducting Research in Human Geography. Prentice Hall. Patton, M. Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods. Sage. Stringer, E. (1996). Action Research. Sage. Yin, R. (1998). Case Study Research - Design and Methods. Sage.
Unit Texts:	No prescribed texts.
Unit Assessment Breakdown:	Outline Proposal 5%, Research Design Exercise 25%, Contextual Essay 50%, Final Proposal 20%. This is a grade/mark assessment.
Year Location Period Internal Area External Central External 2004 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y Y