AG2118 Research Methodology and Scientific Writing for Architects and Planners 3,0 hp

The course is focused on critical analysis, investigation and production of scientific texts. It introduces current research methodologies, their relevance and applicability in urban planning and design studies. The course is linked up with the courses Urban Theory and Concepts and Tools in Urban Design Analysis and creates an opportunity to reflect upon the exercises in the course Applied Analysis in Urban Planning and Design. Different types of writing will be practiced, such as scholarly texts, critical writings and the texts addressing general public. The course will be carried out in a mixed form of lectures, excursions, workshops and seminars.  

Designing a research project, applying an appropriate research method and demonstrating reasonable and convincing results belong to the designerly way of thinking. The course is aimed to situate urban planning and design research within a larger intellectual framework through grasping the indissoluble connection between the development process of ideas and artefacts. The course will therefore be commenced with a review on the development of design methodology as the point of departure. 

The course will help students to anticipate, identify, and resolve the challenges involved in designing and conducting research projects. Students who take this course will learn the principles to carry on minor research projects by gaining greater skills both in the formulation of coherently structured arguments as well as the use of basic procedure of scientific writings. These goals will be achieved by introducing students to various sources of information and to acquaint them with different methodological instruments for identifying underlying research motivations and assumptions. The course will support students to design and produce their own scholarly texts, to think independently and conduct research more critically and systematically. The course is aimed to prepare students for future PhD studies.

The aim of this course is to provide the necessary tools for students to conduct research within urban planning and design and to publish their research findings. The course is a prologue to the cycle of the research processes including conceptualization, information searching, evaluation, analysis, report-writing and presentation technique. It addresses underpinnings of research design, among them the issues of validity, reliability and ethics.

At least 60 credits in the master programme Spatial Planning or Urban Planning and Design. Students should attend the course AK2030 Theory and Methodology simultaneously.

At least 60 credits in the master programme Spatial Planning or Urban Planning and Design. Students should attend the course AK2030 Theory and Methodology simultaneously.

Required:
Groat, Linda; Wang, David (2002) Architectural Research Methods. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Optional:
Creswell, John W. (2002) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (2nd Ed.) Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Denscombe, M. (2003) The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Research Projects. London: Oxford University Press.
George, A.; Bennett, A. (2005) Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Yin R. K. (2003) Case Study Research: Design and Methods (3rd Ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

När kurs inte längre ges har student möjlighet att examineras under ytterligare två läsår.

• NÄR1 - Attendance, 1,0 hp, betygsskala: P, F
• ÖVN1 - Exercise, 2,0 hp, betygsskala: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examinator beslutar, baserat på rekommendation från KTH:s handläggare av stöd till studenter med funktionsnedsättning, om eventuell anpassad examination för studenter med dokumenterad, varaktig funktionsnedsättning.

Examinator får medge annan examinationsform vid omexamination av enstaka studenter.

In order to pass the course (total 3 credits) students are required readings and active participation in discussions.  Students have to complete a well designed and well-written assignment in form of an individual research proposal and defend it at the final seminar.

Maria Håkansson

• Vid grupparbete har alla i gruppen ansvar för gruppens arbete.
• Vid examination ska varje student ärligt redovisa hjälp som erhållits och källor som använts.
• Vid muntlig examination ska varje student kunna redogöra för hela uppgiften och hela lösningen.

Obligatorisk kurs för TSPPM2- och TUPDM2-program.