Urban Research

Core Courses

The Core Methods Courses for the MRes Urban Research (provided by the Graduate School ) are as follows:

Social Science Statistics I

This course introduces students to statistical methods in the social sciences and aims to provide the skills needed to interpret and conduct data analysis.  It does not presume any prior knowledge of statistics or mathematics beyond secondary school level.  It covers basis statistics including: units and variables, translating social phenomena to data, types of data, normal distribution, statistical inference, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and a brief introduction to regression techniques.

Qualitative Research Methods

This course provides practical hands-on familiarisation with applied research methods.  It is designed to introduce students to qualitative methods, the ethics of research and practical report-writing.  Topics covered are: varieties of interview technique, the use and abuse of official statistics, life history and oral history techniques, focus groups, content and textual analysis, ethics in social research, and writing a research report.

Introduction to Social Theory for Researchers

This course begins with a historical scrutiny of the founding figures of social science. Then, by following the development of distinctive programmes of social research throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, it explores key theoretical and methodological questions.  The emphasis of the course is empirical in two senses.  First, there is a strong stress on the foundational issues underlying practical empirical research in the social sciences. Second, the teaching of the course will be based firmly upon the close study of original texts.  The course examines the status of the natural sciences as an exemplar lf high-status knowledge in our society.  It argues that the scientific method, thus, provides an effective model for social inquiry.  However, the traditional distinction between a sociology based upon the scientific method and one based on empathetic understanding is questioned.  It argues that to apply the scientific method sensitively to social inquiry we have to understand the social nature of the natural sciences. The course also asks ‘why study the social sciences’.

The Core Course (provided within Urban Studies) for the MRes in Urban Research is:

Changing Cities and Neighbourhoods

The aim of this course is to provide students with a broad knowledge of the concepts and theories relevant to the study of urban change, spatial planning and urban policy, together with an understanding of the main trends in urban development in developed countries today. There is a particular focus on Britain, but this is located within an international context. The course is based around the idea of the "new urban agenda" which has emerged in public policy in many developed countries over the past decade. This encompasses both the "problems" which are characteristic of many cities at present but also the particular "possibilities" which cities are said to offer? economically, socially, culturally and environmentally. What is different about cities? Do they offer unique possibilities for social or cultural development, economic growth or environmental sustainability? Are they locations for particular types of problem? What would a socially just, economically competitive or environmentally sustainable city look like? And what are the barriers to achieving this?