Brief Course Description
1. Course Title:
Research Design
2. Language of Instruction:
Tiếng Anh
3. Course Code:
MAN846
4. Credits:
3
5. Course Objectives:
Design a study and formulate appropriate hypotheses and ways of testing them.
Select analytic techniques that are appropriate for the data and which allow valid tests of hypotheses, and research questions to be answered.
Apply a selection of statistical software commands and procedures to undertake quantitative statistical analyses.
Knowledgably apply the specific analytic methods learnt in their optional modules.
6. Brief Description of Course Content:
This course is about how to do research in planning practice. It emphasizes the conceptualization of a research design, the selection of a study design and information-gathering and analytical strategies, including case studies, experimental and quasi-experimental design, survey methods, open-ended interviewing, and observation. It also deals with how to develop and use a conceptual framework that will assure that the information gathered is pertinent and useful to answer the questions that may be addressed in a master’s thesis or that a policymaker might ask. Thus, the course focuses on defining planning problems and suitable research questions, the development of simple conceptual models, taking concepts and operationalizing them into variables, understanding the types of study designs and data collection methodologies available to understand planning problems, and developing an overall strategy for the design and conduct of research.
As part of the course, each learner will need to make some basic decision about your Master's Research Project. As a planner you will be called upon identify and consider authoritative research––the latest knowledge––about planning problems. One of the best ways to understand research is to do it. Therefore, the course will be taught in the context of developing your ideas for your Master’s Research Project (or terminal project). The course will involve a series of assignments where learners develop and use study designs and data collection methodologies to help develop information that is potentially useful in defining a research topic and in writing a research proposal on that topic. Classes will be a combination of lecture, group exercises, and discussion.