COURSE UNIT TITLE

: RESEARCH METHODS IN URBAN DESIGN

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
URD 5178 RESEARCH METHODS IN URBAN DESIGN ELECTIVE 2 2 0 8

Offered By

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences

Level of Course Unit

Second Cycle Programmes (Master's Degree)

Course Coordinator

PROFESSOR DOCTOR EBRU ÇUBUKÇU

Offered to

M.Sc. Urban Design
Urban Design

Course Objective

Urban designers should have a common way of collecting and analysing information about environmental problems. Yet, they tend to rely on intuition or ad-hoc knowledge. Social
scientists have such a common perspective which is called scientific method. This course aims to discuss the applicability of research methods in social sciences to
urban design issues.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   Understanding research design concepts construct validity, internal validity and external validity
2   Being able to compare various sample selection techniques
3   Being able to measure concepts related to urban design and people s behavior
4   Being able to design an empirical research

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Scientific and ordinary knowing
2 Research design: construct validity, internal validity, external validity
3 Abstract concepts concrete representations
4 Sample selection and scales used in abstract measures
5 Field and laboratory research
6 Data observational and archival data
7 Data focused interviews and standardized questioners
8 Handing in homework assignments
9 Discussion of readings and design a simple research on one of the discussed issues.
10 Discussion of readings and design a simple research on one of the discussed issues.
11 Discussion of readings and design a simple research on one of the discussed issues.
12 Discussion of readings and design a simple research on one of the discussed issues.
13 Discussion of readings and write up a research paper
14 Discussion of readings and write up a research paper

Recomended or Required Reading

Judd C. M. Smith E.R. & Kidder L. H. (1991) Research Methods in Social Sciences, Harcourt Brace Javanivich College Publishers, Orlando, Florida.
Zeisel J (2006) Inquiry by Design. W.W. Norton & Company, Newyork.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 PRS PRESENTATION
2 ASG ASSIGNMENT
3 FCG FINAL COURSE GRADE PRS * 0.50 + ASG * 0.50


*** Resit Exam is Not Administered in Institutions Where Resit is not Applicable.

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

None

Assessment Criteria

To be announced.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

To be announced.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

ebru.cubukcu@deu.edu.tr

Office Hours

Wednesdays 09:00- 12:00

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 14 4 56
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 7 5 35
Field study 2 50 100
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 191

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10PO.11PO.12PO.13PO.14
LO.11
LO.21
LO.31
LO.41