Methodologies in Urban Studies
Objectives
Students are expected to develop the following skills:
a) Understanding of the nature and process of social science research;
b) Perception of different types of research and underlying methodological strategies;
c) Familiarization with the different research methods;
d) Ability to articulate theoretical conceptualization and empirical operationalization;
e) Ability to develop a research proposal, including theoretical construction and conceptualization, operationalization and measurement, case selection, data collection, analysisand interpretation;
f) Bibliographic research training and organization of academic reading and writing
g) Incorporation of the methodological procedures contained in the program through research experiments in Urban Studies
General characterization
Code
02105820
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
João Pedro Lopes de Oliveira Silva Nunes
Hours
Weekly - Available soon
Total - 168
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
Available soon
Bibliography
Babbie, Earl (2013), The practice of Social Research, Belmont, California Wadsworth Publishing Company (13th ed.).
Bryman, Alan (2012) Social Research Methods, Oxford, Oxford University Press,
Della Porta, Donatella e Michael Keating (eds.) Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences. A Pluralist Perspective, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
Ragin, Charles (1994) Constructing Social Research. The Unity and Diversity of Method, Thousand Oaks, Pine Forge
Teaching method
The teaching-learning process combines: 1) theoretical/practical classes; 2) conducting research exercises; 3) research sessions in Urban Studies, according to the definedsyllabus (one for each research method) and 4) autonomous work.
Evaluation method
Evaluation Methodologies - 1) Preparation of a reading form from texts provided by the teacher or proposed by the students and validated by the teacher ((30%), 2) Writing a research proposal, in order to elaborate the 2nd semester dissertation / internship / projet plan, including identification of the research question, theoreticalframework and methodological choices (design and research techniques), arguing about its suitability and relevance.(70%)
Subject matter
I.Nature and research process
1.Types of research and methodological strategies
2.The research cycle and the investigation steps
II.Research Strategies
1.Quantitative research
1.1The nature of quantitative research
1.2The process of producing quantitative data: sample and questionnaire structure
1.3Use of Existing Data
1.4Analysis of Quantitative Data
1.5Quantitative Research in Urban Studies
2.Qualitative research
2.1.The nature of qualitative research
2.2.The interview in qualitative research
2.3.Ethnography and participant observation
2.4.The use of documents in qualitative research
2.5.Qualitative data analysis
2.6.Qualitative Research in Urban Studies
3.Overcoming the quantitative/qualitative dichotomy
3.1.Mix methods
3.2.Comparative-typological method
3.3.Mix methods Research in Urban Studies
III. Research resources and working methods
1.Diversity of sources,documentary research and resources(WEB)
2.Organizing the literature review
3.Writing: projects, reports, theses