Specialization
ESEP
|
Examination
Research proposal
|
Prerequisites
Students following the Master specialisation 'European spatial and environmental planning (ESEP)' and with Bachelors degree in a spatially-oriented discipline (such as spatial planning, human geography, social and political sciences of the environment).
|
Optional Course (Not applicable if the course is a compulsory part of the Education)
No.
|
Objectives
- Cognitive: after completion of the module, students will be able to: (1) recognise, categorise and explain different types of research problems, research strategies and methods in planning, and decide between possible alternatives; and (2) recognise the function and content of different scientific paradigms and theoretical approaches in planning research.
- Professional: after completion of the module, students will be able to independently develop a research proposal and assess the quality of the research proposals prepared by others
- Communicative: after completion of the module, students will be able to explain, both verbally and in writing, the strengths and weaknesses of research designs, problem definitions, theories, research strategies and methods in planning research.
|
Contents
The module 'Preparation Masters Thesis' provides students with the methodological and structural tools for their Masters thesis, which they will write during the second semester of the Masters programme. After completing this module, students will be in a position to independently design and conduct research in the field of spatial and environmental planning. At the core of this module are exercises and discussions on the differences in research proposals, and the strengths and weaknesses of various methodological approaches in responding to the formulated research question. In the first half of the semester, students will independently conduct an analysis and evaluation of planning theses. Furthermore, they will be confronted with the experiences of PhD students in developing a research strategy with a variety of research approaches. In the second half of the first semester, students will develop the research proposal for their own Masters thesis. Information will be provided on the various research themes within the GaP research programme that are relevant to the ESEP Masters specialization, and the possibilities for students to connect their own research to ongoing activities.
|
Literature
The following methodology handbook is the main textbook for this course: Saunders, M.; Lewis, P.; Thornhill, A. (2007) Research Methods for Business Students. (Fourth Edition). Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd. Other course literature will be announced at the beginning of the course.
|
