UIPM6023 Research Methods in Urban Development

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Questions and Answers

What is the total weight of the final examination in the assessment?

40% (correct)

60%

20%

80%

Which portion focuses on the ethical considerations in research?

Portion 5

Portion 8

Portion 6 (correct)

Portion 10

What grade corresponds to a score in the range of [70, 75)?

B- (correct)

B+

C+

Which activity has the same weight as the individual assignment in the assessment?

Group Assignment Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main focuses of the research proposal development portion?

Designing smart research proposals Signup and view all the answers

Which portion would cover descriptive statistics?

Portion 9 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of conducting a critical literature review?

To evaluate research methodologies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT covered in the module outline?

Time management in research Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of analyzing data in research?

To create a summary of raw data. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of qualitative description?

The weather was unfavorable for the event. Signup and view all the answers

Why might a research study fail to meet its objectives?

The analysis was unrelated to the research objectives. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way research findings can be presented?

In academic journals or presentations. Signup and view all the answers

What can be defined as the units of analysis in research?

The individual observations or cases being studied. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of units of analysis would NOT likely be studied in social research?

Mathematical algorithms. Signup and view all the answers

Which stage follows the analysis of research findings?

Reporting the findings. Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge researchers face after data analysis?

Connecting findings to research objectives. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the inductive approach to research?

Developing a general theory from specific observations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best captures the relationship between theory and research?

Theory guides research, while research contributes to theory development. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the deductive approach, what is the initial step in the research process?

Problem identification Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT a characteristic of the inductive approach?

It starts with broad theoretical frameworks. Signup and view all the answers

What does confirmation in the deductive approach primarily evaluate?

The validity of the proposed theory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sequence of steps in the inductive approach?

Observation → Generalization → Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common method associated with the inductive approach?

Case studies Signup and view all the answers

What role does literature review play in the research process?

It helps in establishing a problem identification. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a descriptive study?

To describe the current state of an issue or situation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of correlational research?

Investigating the impact of an advertising campaign on product sales Signup and view all the answers

Explanatory research primarily focuses on which aspect?

Clarifying why and how relationships exist between phenomena Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of exploratory research?

It investigates areas with little or no prior knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically a focus of a descriptive study?

The impact of stress on health Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research is best suited for determining if a decrease in mortality rates is related to fertility rates?

Correlational research Signup and view all the answers

What type of study would investigate how the home environment impacts children's educational achievement?

Explanatory research Signup and view all the answers

What is often an objective of exploratory research?

To select appropriate measurement tools Signup and view all the answers

What does exploratory research primarily aim to achieve?

To investigate new topics or angles. Signup and view all the answers

Which approach in research is characterized by predetermined objectives and design?

Structured Approach Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the unstructured approach to research?

It allows flexibility in the research process. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research approach is best suited for understanding the nature of a phenomenon?

Qualitative Approach Signup and view all the answers

Why shouldn't a researcher limit themselves solely to one approach?

Both approaches can complement each other in many studies. Signup and view all the answers

In the example of researching domestic violence services, which aspect is qualitative?

Understanding the types of services available. Signup and view all the answers

How are the types of research studies classified?

By their application and perspectives employed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of the structured approach in research?

It may not adequately explore issues in depth. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a mandatory expectation for classroom behavior?

Punctuality Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes research?

A systematic method to collect, analyze, and conclude Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant reason for conducting research?

To find conclusive solutions to defined problems Signup and view all the answers

Which research paradigm focuses on understanding and interpreting social phenomena?

Qualitative research Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of research?

Generalization of findings based on systematic inquiry Signup and view all the answers

In the context of late assignments, which policy is clearly stated?

Late submission is not acceptable Signup and view all the answers

What does the research process involve according to the learning objectives?

Defining problems and reaching conclusions Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate purpose of manipulating concepts or symbols in research?

To verify knowledge and support theoretical development Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Methods and Techniques for Urban Land Development and Management

Module Code: UIPM6023
Instructor: Dr. Degu Bekele
Institution: College of Urban Development and Engineering, ECSU
Date: October, 2024

Module Outline

Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the basics of research.
- Design a smart research proposal and conduct research on urban development and management issues independently and in teams.
- Write and present research findings attractively and understandably to an audience.
- Conduct a critical or analytical review of relevant literature related to proposed research projects.
- Evaluate the methodology of other research reports.
Module Content Outline:
- Portion 1: Introduction and Types of Research.
- Portion 2: Data Collecting and Measuring.
- Portion 3: Sample, Sampling Design, and Sampling Distribution.
- Portion 4: Variables and Scale of Measurements.
- Portion 5: Research Proposal Development.
- Portion 6: Research Ethics.
- Portion 7: Referencing Styles.
- Portion 8: Qualitative Research methods and Approaches to Data Analysis.
- Portion 9: Quantitative Data Analysis (Descriptive Statistics).
- Portion 10: Quantitative Data Analysis (Inferential Statistics).
- Portion 11-14: Practical Sessions on the Application of SPSS.

Assessment

Test: 20%
Individual Assignment (Research Proposal Development): 20%
Group Assignment (SPSS Practical Application): 20%
Final Examination: 40%

Grading System

Letter Grades corresponding to numerical scores. Values range from 0.00 (F) to 4.00 (A+). Specific ranges are detailed in the document.

Module Policy

Attendance: Mandatory.
Classroom Behavior:
- Participate in class discussions.
- Meet assignment deadlines.
- Maintain discipline (punctuality and cell phone policies).
Submission Policy: Late submissions are not accepted.
Exemption from exams: Medical or emergency cases only, with supporting documentation required.

Introduction to Research

Session Contents:
- Meaning of Research
- Objectives of Research
- Motivation in Research
- Significance of Research
- Characteristics of Research
- Research Paradigms
- The Research Process
- Units of Analysis
- Types of Research
Learning Objectives: To recognize research concepts, appreciate research objectives, and identify research characteristics; compare research paradigms; familiarize with the research process; and identify research types.

Meaning of Research

Scientific and systematic search for information on a specific topic.
Systematic method involving problem identification, data collection, analysis, and reaching conclusions.

Objectives of Research

Moving beyond guesswork and commonsense for accurate answers.
Gaining familiarity with a phenomenon and achieving new insights.
Portraying characteristics of individuals, situations, or groups.
Determining the frequency of events or their association.
Testing causal relationships between variables.

Motivation in Research

Possible Motives:
- Pursuit of a research degree.
- Addressing unsolved problems.
- Gaining intellectual satisfaction from creative work.
- Contributing to societal betterment.
- Achieving recognition/respectability.

Significance of Research

Progress and invention are driven by inquiry.
Research enhances logical thinking and organizational skills.
Research is vital for informed economic policy decisions.
Research underpins most government policies.
Research allows policymakers to consider alternative policies and their implications.

Characteristics of Research

Controlled: Minimize the influence of extraneous factors.
Rigorous: Employ relevant, appropriate, and well-justified procedures.
Systematic: Follow a logical sequence of steps.
Valid and Verifiable: Conclusions drawn must be correct and testable.
Empirical: Conclusions based on verifiable evidence.
Critical: Process must be foolproof and free from flaws.

Research Paradigms

Two main paradigms: Positivist and Naturalistic.

Positivism

Associated with questionnaires, surveys, and experimental design.
Generates 'hard' data (numerate and statistical).
Assumes a real world independent of human perception.
Rejects interference in the relation to be discovered.

Naturalism

Favors ethnography, unstructured interviews, and qualitative techniques.
Assumes human reality is constructed and that there are no external laws governing human interaction.
No fixed distinction between social knowledge of the study and social reality.

Theory and Research

Theory and research are inseparable aspects of a single process.
Theory is a set of interconnected propositions that describe, explain, and predict events.
Theory guides research, and research informs theory. -Two approaches exist for the theory-research cycle: Inductive and deductive.

Inductive Approach

Proceeds from specific observation to general theory.
Begins with empirical observation and data analysis.
Generalizations formulated based upon observation and further developed into theory.

Deductive Approach

Proceeds from general theory to specific observation.
Begins with existing theory to generate hypotheses.
Tested through observation, leading to generalizations supporting or refuting the theory.

The Research Process

Steps:
- Problem identification.
- Literature review.
- Refining the research problem.
- Defining the population and collecting data.
- Analyzing the data.
- Interpreting the results.
- Reporting the findings.

Problem/Topic Identification

Research problems can stem from factual gaps, but are not necessarily social problems in themselves.
Existing research or knowledge gaps motivate research problems.
The identification can stem own experience, scientific literature, and theories.

Literature Review

Purpose to check if existing research has addressed the problem; gain insight into how other research handles similar issues; highlight gaps in previous work; define theoretical and conceptual framework; and refine the research problem.
- Use publications that are less than ten years old unless the publication is a fundamental theoretical text.

Refining the Research Problem

Identifying general and specific research objectives.
Employing the 5 Ws to clarify what, why, who, where and when the study will be conducted.

Working out the Research Design

Selecting the research method based on reliability, validity, and representativeness.

Data Collection

Be prepared for practical difficulties.
Be creative in addressing challenges in data collection.

Analyzing Data

Process of conceptualizing raw data into a manageable form.
Summarization of both numerical (quantitative) and non-numerical (qualitative) data.

Interpreting the Results

Relating findings to research objectives.
Listing any identified flaws in relevant policies if applicable.

Reporting the Findings

Final stage; but research may lead to new opportunities for examination or understanding.

Units of Analysis

Units of observations used for summary and differentiation among subjects.

Types of Research

Application Perspective: Pure research (for knowledge sake) and applied research (practical application).
Objectives Perspective: Descriptive (describing a phenomenon), correlational (exploring relationships), explanatory (exploring reasons behind phenomenon), and exploratory (exploring an area little understood).
Mode of Enquiry: Structured (predetermined approach) and unstructured (flexible approach).

Studying That Suits You

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Description

This quiz evaluates your understanding of research methods and techniques specific to urban land development and management. You'll explore topics such as types of research, data collection, sampling design, and the evaluation of research methodologies. Prepare to showcase your knowledge of how to create and analyze research proposals effectively.