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Campus | Bryn Mawr |
Semester | Fall 2020 |
Registration ID | CITYB217001 |
Course Title | Research Methods |
Credit | 1.00 |
Department | Growth and Structure of Cities |
Instructor | Hurley,Jennifer L. |
Times and Days | MTh 11:10am-12:30pm
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Room Location | |
Additional Course Info | Class Number: 2103 This is a topics course. Course content varies.; This course is a hands-on introduction to the research process. It will provide students with the practical skills needed to design, conduct, and analyze original research of the complexity of a thesis-length project. Specifically, students will build knowledge and experience in: RESEARCH DESIGN: Understanding the characteristics of a good research question, and how to craft one from your own interests and sense of a problem. Additionally, knowing what sort of research design is best suited to addressing your particular research question. RESEARCH METHODS: Gaining competency with the methodological tools most frequently used by students interested in tackling urban research questions: quantitative methods involving analysis of pre-existing large-n survey data and the qualitative methods of case study, content analysis, and interviewing. DATA ANALYSIS: Not equivalent to methods, but indispensible to a researcher’s methodology, is the question of data analysis. This course provides an understanding of basic descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, both in concept and in practice (we use Excel and SPSS for statistical analysis) and introduces more advanced statistical tests. No programming is required or taught. Additionally, students will gain experience in qualitative data analysis, including an introduction to computer-assisted qualitative data analysis (we use Nvivo and/or Dedoose for CAQDA). Approach: Quantitative Methods (QM); Haverford: B: Analysis of the Social World (B), Social Science (SO) The exact ratio of in-person and remote activities will be adjusted the meet the needs of all students enrolled in the class, whether they are attending remotely or in person. The course will be structured in a “flipped” classroom manner, where most presentation of content is available online through readings and videos. Scheduled class time will be used for in-class activities (either in person or remote), labs, and discussion. If enrolled students are physically in a time zone that makes synchronous attendance at class time impossible, activities can be adjusted to allow for asynchronous participation, but that option would require more independence and self-direction from the student. |
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