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103-0573-00L 4 Credits MSC D-BAUG
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Designing Urban Research: Social Science Methods for Urban Planning & Urban Studies

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Michael Wicki, Dr. David Kostenwein
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:31:29

Abstract

The course introduces research designs and methods in urban planning and urban studies. Students apply and critically reflect on qualitative and quantitative methods, develop their own research questions, and learn to formulate coherent research designs

Objective

Overarching learning objective: To create coherent research designs by formulating relevant research questions and assessing and discussing suitable methods. Learning Objective (LO) 1: Students know and critically assess urban research designs and methods - Learning Step (LS) 1.1: Students can analyze the basic mechanism of urban research methods - LS 1.2: Students can explain the advantages, disadvantages, capabilities, and shortcomings of different research methods LO2: Students can select, investigate, and learn to apply urban research methods - LS 2.1: Students can choose and discuss possible research methods for a given research question - LS 2.2: Students review relevant literature to deepen the knowledge about the chosen method(s), and propose how to apply the method in an exemplary project LO3: Students can interpret and discuss urban research projects by evaluating the applied research design and methods - LS 3.1: Students evaluate if methods are a suitable choice for given research question/project - LS 3.2: Students can assess if the presented findings and conclusions are supported by the applied method LO4: Students can create coherent research questions and designs - LS 4.1: Students compose coherent research questions, conducting literature reviews and compiling suitable method(s) - LS 4.2: Students can communicate these elements in a concise and academic manner

Content

This course explores research designs and methods in urban planning and urban studies. Students will engage with quantitative and qualitative methods and learn how to design their own research. Guest lectures with applied examples of the methods discussed will facilitate active learning. Throughout the course we will try out methods, critically assess research designs, work with students’ research questions and jointly discuss and refine them. In the end, students should be able to create coherent research designs by formulating relevant research questions, and assessing and discussing suitable methods. Beyond a comprehensive introduction to different urban research methods and designs, this course is also a useful preparation for master theses and semester projects in urban planning and urban studies.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
The semester grade is calculated based on the following assessments during the semester:- (Group-)presentation: 40%- Hand-in of a research design: 50%- Peer-review of other research designs: 10%- Draft of either a survey experiment and/or interview guidelines: pass/fail- Class participation may be taken into account to round up a final grade in borderline cases

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Designing Urban Research: Social Science Methods for Urban Planning & Urban Studies
Remark: Title until HS24 "Social Science Research for Urban Planning & Urban Studies: Quantitative & Qualitative Methods"
  • Fri 09:45-11:30 (HCP E 47.1)
2 h weekly

Offered In