MSc Urban Studies / Course details

Given the complexity of contemporary cities there is a need to give serious attention to their researching. This is the focus of this course unit.  Urban Studies is a field that draws together elements of a number of disciplines, each of which comes with its own preferred set of research methods. Think of the use of ethnography by urban anthropologists or archives by urban historians. The dominance of some research methods over others in a discipline often reflects wider intellectual currents, such as which theoretical paradigms are centre-stage.  Drawing a distinction between research methods qua techniques and research practice, this course unit focuses on the latter, taking students through a range of urban research projects, introducing and discussing the relationship between concepts and methods. For research methods, it is important to acknowledge that all have their limits and it is not possible to say absolutely that one is better than any other.  The usefulness or otherwise of a research method depends on other decisions, such as the concepts under investigation, the nature of the research questions being asked, and what is needed to answer them.  At the end of this course unit students will have a strong grounding in the ontological and epistemological differences and similarities between different ways of knowing and researching the city. 

The course unit aims to:

• Equip students with the ability to understand the relationship between urban theory, urban research practice and urban research methods
• Enable students to understand the key qualitative research methods used in urban studies and the practical issues of their use
• Provide students with opportunities to practise and develop a range of analytical, presentation, writing and digital skills necessary for designing and delivering a coherent and feasible dissertation 
• Promote ethical and socially responsible research among the next generation of urban researchers 

Students should be able to:

Seminars and discussion, lectures, assessments will incorporate skills development using technology

• Identify key qualitative research methods and theories in urban research
• Compose appropriate research questions that can be answered by qualitative research
• Choose suitable methods for specific urban research projects

• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research methods
• Debate and critically judge qualitative research methods in urban research

• Design a coherent and feasible urban research project
• Develop, articulate and sustain structured oral arguments
• Write in a clear and concise manner

• Acquire, process and present different types of information
• Communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing
• Practise to be an independent, reflective, and critical researcher

Dissertation Project Proposal (1000 words) (35%)

In person, and via Blackboard 15 working days after submission for assessed submissions