Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/studying-cities-social-science-methods-for-urban-research

Introduction

### Course Review: Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research In the contemporary world, where urbanization is reshaping societies, the ability to conduct robust scientific research in urban contexts is more critical than ever. If you're looking for a course that equips you with valuable research skills tailored to urban environments, look no further than "Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research," offered by the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) at Erasmus University Rotterdam. #### Course Overview This comprehensive course is specifically designed for individuals eager to delve into the intricacies of urban research. Whether you're a student, a professional, or someone with a keen interest in urban studies, this course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to conduct meaningful research. The course covers the entire research cycle, from formulating a research question to analyzing data, ensuring that participants are well-equipped for their future research endeavors. #### Course Syllabus and Key Themes The course unfolds over several weeks, each focusing on a critical component of the research process: 1. **Research Topic**: The journey begins by understanding how to formulate a precise problem statement and research question. You will learn how to evaluate research questions against established criteria, enhancing your ability to design effective research. 2. **Theoretical Framework and Operationalization**: This module helps transform theoretical concepts into empirical research. You'll grasp how to move from a research question to a conceptual framework, culminating in clear, measurable indicators. Importantly, the course addresses common pitfalls in operationalization, helping you navigate this complex area with confidence. 3. **Research Strategies**: Here, you'll explore various empirical research strategies, including surveys, quasi-experiments, case studies, and desk research. By the end of this segment, you will appreciate how to select appropriate methodologies in line with your research questions. 4. **Quantitative and Qualitative Data**: Data collection strategies take center stage in this module, covering both quantitative methods (like surveys) and qualitative methods (such as interviews). You will learn to distinguish between primary and secondary data sources, setting a solid groundwork for effective data gathering. 5. **Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis**: In the final week, the focus shifts to data analysis. You will discover practical techniques for analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, acquiring essential insights that every researcher needs. This segment is capped off with a final test, reinforcing your learning while offering an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding. #### Course Delivery The course is hosted on Coursera, featuring video lectures, reading materials, quizzes, and interactive discussions. The content is designed to be engaging and informative, ensuring an enriching learning experience. Additionally, the course's global perspective, thanks to its Erasmus University affiliation, enriches discussions and insights drawn from varied urban contexts around the world. #### Who Should Enroll? "Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research" is ideal for: - Students pursuing degrees in urban studies, social sciences, or related fields. - Professionals working in urban planning, policy analysis, or community development. - Anyone interested in enhancing their research skills and understanding urban dynamics through a scientific lens. #### Recommendation I strongly recommend this course to anyone looking to build a solid foundation in urban research methodologies. The blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application makes it an invaluable resource, whether you're starting out in research or looking to refine your existing skills. By the end of this course, you will feel empowered to tackle urban research challenges with confidence and clarity. In conclusion, if you're ready to embark on a journey into the world of urban research, sign up for "Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research." It's an investment in your educational and professional future that you won't regret!

Syllabus

Research Topic

By studying this week’s materials and by answering the related questions and quiz, you will gain a deeper understanding of the need and the criteria for a problem statement, the main components of the research design and how to formulate a good research question. You will learn the different aspects in order to understand these primary steps in conducting research, and be given the tools to evaluate the quality of research questions according to the criteria.

By studying this week’s materials and by answering the related questions and quiz, you will gain more insight in how operationalization transitions theory to empirical research. You will learn how an empirical researcher creates the transformation from the research question to the conceptual framework, and from the complex concepts of this framework to measurable (unambiguous) indicators. You will also become aware of the most common mistakes inexperienced researchers make in the operationalization.

By studying this week’s materials and by answering the related questions and quiz, you will gain more knowledge about the possible strategies or approaches in empirical research. The research strategy of any research should be a coherent body of decisions concerning the way in which the researcher is going to carry out the research in order to obtain valid answers to the research questions. The main strategies in social science research will be discussed during this week’s lectures, namely the survey, quasi-experiment, case study and desk research (working with existing large data sets). You will gain basic knowledge on these 4 strategies, and how they link to research questions. By the end of the week you will understand the importance of choosing appropriate methods and techniques in relation to a research question.

By studying this week’s materials and by answering the related questions and quiz, you will gain knowledge on the basics of collecting data. The video lectures will teach you how to deal with primary quantitative data collection (survey) and secondary quantitative data collection (existing large data sets). We’ll continue the week with qualitative data collection, both primary (interviews) and secondary (from existing literature). Therefore you will gain a basic understanding of the data collection for each of the research strategies treated last week.

By studying this week’s materials and by answering the related questions and quiz, you will gain insight in the analysis of the different types of data. From the point of data collection last week, it is important to understand the various ways to analysis the data. During this week you collect the essential knowledge on data collection that any academic researcher needs. Links to other MOOCs will be shared that can be used to broader your knowledge on specific statistics. The week concludes with the final test, encompassing all you have learned during the course. By passing this final test, you will pass the course.