UAPP 8011 - Methodological Approaches in Urban Affairs Research

Credit Hours: (3)

Description This course focuses on research design and epistemology used in qualitative and quantitative research. It introduces different types of studies, such as theoretical research, explorative studies, empirical studies, and experimental research.

Emphasis will be placed on ‘ways of knowing’ in social science, which includes a detailed discussion of ontology and epistemology in the context of urban affairs research.

This course also discusses how theories can be developed and how theories lead to testable hypotheses. After theories and hypotheses are derived, the focus shifts to data collection (e.g. surveys, case studies, experiments, interviews, and the selection and use of secondary data). In particular, sampling is crucial to avoid sample selection biases will be discussed. Finally, students will discuss the construction of variables, including latent variables (e.g., social constructs), the selection of proxy variables, and the use of control variables in social science research. PREREQUISITE(S): Permission of instructor and UAPP 8010.