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Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 7 hours
  • Course by Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Offered by

About

Welcome! Are you looking to learn more about how to conduct scientific research, specifically in an urban or local context? Then you have found the right course: Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research by the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University Rotterdam. During the course you will gain more insight in the different steps of the research cycle, and build a firm foundation for your own future research endeavors. Before any (urban) researcher may start conducting research, it is crucial to understand the different aspects and elements of doing research. The course will guide you through the various steps of the research cycle to provide you with the basic knowledge necessary for any Master-level program, but with a special focus on urban and local development. The course starts with introductory lectures on the problem statement, research objective, empirical cycle and the research question. Over the following weeks you will also learn the components and criteria of the theoretical framework and operationalization, research strategies, and the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. You will be provided with the necessary tools to understand and evaluate these key steps in scientific research by watching video lectures with in-video questions and by completing the final peer review, which will use all the elements you have learnt throughout the course.

Modules

Welcome to the Course

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Introduction to Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research

Pre-test

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Pre-test

Problem Statement, Research Objective, Question

    • 4 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Introduce Yourself and Meet Your Peers

4 Videos

  • Introduction to Week
  • Problem Statement
  • Research Objective / Empirical Cycle
  • Research Question

2 Readings

  • Reading assignment: Problem Statement (video)
  • Reading assignment: Research objective (video)

Testimonial

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Testimonial 1 - Introduction to Julia's research

Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 1 - Quiz

Theoretical Framework and Operationalization

    • 5 Videos
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5 Videos

  • Introduction Video
  • Knowing What is Known: Literature Review
  • Conceptualisation
  • Conceptual Framework
  • Operationalization

Discussion

    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Conceptualization: do we all have the same understanding?

Introduction to Week

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Introduction to Research Strategies
  • Strategy Validity and Reliability

Research Strategies Available to You

    • 6 Videos
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6 Videos

  • Surveys
  • Experiments
  • Quasi Experiments
  • Case Studies - Defining a case study and when to use it
  • Case Studies - Types of case studies
  • Desk Research

Testimonial

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Hanna's Testimonial: Researching commuting to work by bicycle in Rotterdam.
  • Hanna's Testimonial: Choosing a suitable strategy

Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 2 and 3 - Quiz

Data collection

    • 9 Videos
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9 Videos

  • Introduction Video
  • Sampling
  • Primary Quantitative Data Collection
  • Secondary Quantitative Data Collection
  • Primary Qualitative Data Collection - Part One
  • Primary Qualitative Data Collection - Part Two
  • Constructing a Questionnaire
  • Administering a Questionnaire
  • Preparing and Conducting Interviews

Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

    • 10 Videos
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10 Videos

  • Introduction Video
  • Qualitative Data Analysis: Data Management
  • Qualitative Data Analysis: Introduction to Coding
  • Qualitative Data Analysis: Tips for Coding
  • Qualitative Data Analysis: How to analyse the data
  • Qualitative Data Analysis: Reliability and Validity
  • Data Analysis: Primary Quantitative Data Analysis
  • Primary and Secondary Quantitative Data Preparation
  • Data Analysis: Secondary Quantitative Data Analysis
  • Data Analysis: Quantitative Data Analysis

Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Quiz - Module 4 and 5

Post-test

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Post-test (self-assessment)

Peer review assignment

    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Final Assignment: Evaluation of a Research Proposal

Auto Summary

Discover the essentials of urban research with "Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research" by Erasmus University Rotterdam. This foundational course covers the research cycle, from problem statements to data analysis, tailored for urban development. Ideal for aspiring researchers, it offers video lectures, interactive questions, and peer reviews over 420 minutes. Available on Coursera with a starter subscription.

Laura Neijenhuis
Instructors

Laura Neijenhuis

Jan Fransen
Instructors

Jan Fransen

Dorcas Nthoki
Instructors

Dorcas Nthoki

Rick Wolff
Instructors

Rick Wolff

Maria Zwanenburg
Instructors

Maria Zwanenburg