| CODE | SPI1101 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods for Spatial Planning | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Spatial Planning and Infrastructure | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit covers the basics of quantitative and qualitative research methods in the social sciences within the context of spatial planning. The unit will discuss how these research methods can be applied to tackle interdisciplinary social aspects related planning through case studies. Content areas include: - Distinction between qualitative and quantitative research; - Purpose of research and type of insights obtained by the different tools used; - Main research methods: surveys, interviews, action research, mixed methodology, ethnography, experimental design and their strengths and weaknesses; - Setting the appropriate research question(s); - Developing adequate research design based on research question(s) set; - Sampling issues; - Design of different types of questionnaires and their purposes; - Design of different types of interviews and their purpose; - Analysis approaches for qualitative and quantitative data; - Analysis of quantitative data through spss; - Ethical aspects in research; - Statistical significance when interpreting data; - Validity and reliability issues. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to: - introduce the different types of quantitative and qualitative research methods (surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation, ethnography, action research, experimental design) used in the social sciences and their strengths and weaknesses; - tackle how research questions set are translated into different research methodologies context of spatial planning; - review key issues/aspects related to the use of the different research methodologies (surveys, interviews, focus groups, carrying out observations, etc.); - highlight issues related to ethical aspects, particularly when involving human subjects; - consider the reliability and validity of data collected. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify the different types of research approaches as either quantitative or qualitative and their application to research related to spatial planning; - list the different types of sampling methodolodies used; - cite the legal obligations with respect to ethical issues as part of research in the social sciences; - define validity and reliability of data collected and conclusions drawn; - know how triangulation ensure validity and reliability of conclusions made; - identify the different types of statistical analysis that can be used with different types of quantitative data collected; - identify the main analysis approaches used in qualitative research. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - articulate research question(s) about issues related to spatial planning; - develop appropriate research methodology based on the research question(s) set when applied to complex situations that often arise in spatial planning; - design research tools (questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, observation schedules etc.) which are not biased and respecting ethical aspects; - select appropriate sample size and selection, being aware of type of claims that can be drawn from the results obtained; - analyse qualitative data using appropriate approaches that ensure validaty and reliability; - analysis quantitative data collected- using appropriate statistical tools through SPSS; - analyse data and draw conclusions appropriately and use it to explain situations. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Textbooks: - Bryman, Alan (2016), Social research methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Elisabete A. Silva, Patsy Healey, Neil Harris, Pieter Van den Broeck, (2015), The Routledge Handbook of Planning Research Methods, London; Routledge. - Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science, (n.d), Spatial Social Science for research, teaching, applicationn and policy, California:Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science, http://www.csiss.org/aboutus/reports/Spatial_Social_Science.pdf Supplementary texts: - Elisabete Silva (Editor), Patsy Healey (Editor), Neil Harris (Editor), Pieter Van den Broeck (Editor), (2014), Research Methods in Spatial Planning: A Case-Based Guide to Research Design, London: Routledge. - Chava Frankfort-Nachmias (Author), David Nachmias (Author), Jack DeWaard (Author), (2014), Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Duffield: WorthPublishing ltd. (8th ed.) - Berg, Bruce L. (i2006), Qualitative research methods for the social sciences, London: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Suzanne Gatt |
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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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