Preparation for Fieldwork: Research Methods

The course is to give basic knowledge of research and the methods relevant to students of Urban Ecological Planning. There will also be an introductory presentation of the different methodological approaches applied in the various disciplines and scientific traditions. The student is to learn how to write a project proposal, design a research project and write a research report. A major part of the course will be to develop, discuss, evaluate,present - and finally write their own master thesis research proposal. Through this process the various methodological approaches and methods will presented and discussed. The final proposal will be the basis for assessment.

Knowledge:The student will gain deep knowledge of the various methods and scientific traditions that are relevant for research in Urban Ecological Planning and the application of these methods and principles for preparing for field work for the Masters Thesis. The course will build upon basic knowledge of research and field work acquired in the first semester of the program. Skills: The student will develop a critical understanding of research methods and their application to the concrete context of their own planned masters thesis. They will learn to argue for an reflect on the methodological choices they make for research and the implications that has for methods as well and analysis of the data collected. General Competence: The student will acquire the ability to write a well referenced and reasoned research proposal and the independent execution of the proposed plan for research in the field.

Developing the students' own research proposals will constitute the core of the course. This will be directly linked to lectures and colloquia relevant to each stage of the process.