GY452 Half Unit
Urban Research Methods
This information is for the 2024/25 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Hyun Shin CKK.3.17
Additional teacher(s): Professor Neil Lee; Prof Gareth Jones; Professor Claire Mercer; Dr Romola Sanyal; Dr Jessie Speer; Dr Austin Zeiderman; A.N.Other
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is available on the MSc in Environment and Development, MSc in Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research) and MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
This course is available on the MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) for those students who choose the MSc in Urbanisation and Development track for their Year 2 studies.
Course content
The course aims to introduce students to the key methods that are frequently mobilised to carry out research on urbanising societies around the world. Additionally, the course is to help students think more systematically about methodological considerations in order to execute a successful dissertation research. Below is an indicative list of themes that are normally covered in the course:
- Designing an urban research project and ethics
- Comparative (case) studies
- Working with archives
- Interviews and focus groups
- Conducting ethnography
- Quantitative data and questionnaires
- Analysis and write-up
Teaching
In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures, in-person lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.
This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures across Winter Term.
This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the WT.
Indicative reading
Flyvbjerg, B. (2001) Making social science matter: Why social inquiry fails and how it can succeed again. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Hay, I. (ed.) (2010) Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Heimer, M. and Thogersen, S. (eds.) (2006) Doing fieldwork in China. Copenhagen: NIAS Press
Hennink, M. et al (2011) Qualitative Research Methods. London; Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Sayer, A. (1992) Method in social science: A realist approach. London: Routledge
Ward, K. (ed.) (2012) Researching the city: a guide for students. London: Sage
Assessment
Essay (70%, 2500 words) and research proposal (30%) in the ST.
Student performance results
(2020/21 - 2022/23 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 32.2 |
| Merit | 54.2 |
| Pass | 11.9 |
| Fail | 1.7 |
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Total students 2023/24: 22
Average class size 2023/24: 24
Controlled access 2023/24: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication