The module is organised in two parts. Part A provides a generic introduction to and an overview of social science research methods for planning. Part B provides skills and contexts in subject-specific epistemological paradigms, methodologies and methods. In addition, Part A of the module will provide the opportunity for students across all courses to attend ”Master-classes” from experts across the School of Planning and Geography in particular methods, techniques and perspectives.

Part B of this module introduces students to the primary analytical tool used in transport planning practice. This tool is known as the urban transport modelling system or 4-stage model. The aim of the module is to provide an introduction to the principles and practice of building models for analysing and forecasting passenger transport, strategy development and appraisal. Lectures include practical examples which are used to demonstrate the basic principles and objectives of each stage within the urban transport modelling system.
 

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• critically assess alternative approaches to social research and to recognise their strengths and weaknesses;
• examine the empirical content and relations of ideas introduced in other modules;
• identify suitable methodological approaches for a given research question;
• understand the epistemological principles (theories of knowledge) that govern the activities of social research;
• critically examine different strategies of data presentation and analysis;
• develop a dissertation project and conceptualise and plan the research process and its component steps;
• apply skills in selected methods relevant to a postgraduate dissertation.
• explain and critically discuss the role of models in urban planning.
• Identify the strengths and limitations of the systems approach to planning.
• Appreciate the contribution of models (as abstractions of reality) to the support of transport-related decisions.
• Recognise and describe concepts central to the study of the urban transport modelling system.
• Correctly identify the components of the urban transportation modelling system approach known as the four-stage model.
• Describe and discuss the main technical components of the above model, including regression analysis, spatial interactions, and the discrete choice modelling framework.
• Use practical examples and exercises to understand the theoretical underpinnings of each of the stages involved in the urban transport modelling system.

 

 

The module will be delivered by lectures and computer lab practical sessions.

Students will be required to attend four of the following 12 research methods masterclasses:

Introduction to Mapping and GIS (Scott Orford)
Mapping places in textual data (Scott Orford)
Introduction to Regression Analysis (Yiming Wang)
Agent based modelling (Yiming Wang)
Researching how people use the built environment: multi-method (Mike Biddulph)
Introduction to multi-level modelling in MLWin (Chinmoy Sarkar)
Research methods for spatial design research (Alan Chiaradia)
Deliberative and participative methods: focus groups, citizen juries and competance groups (Mara Miele).
Deliberative interviews (Peter Feindt)
Participant-led research: strategies for research with vulnerable people (Peter Mackie)
Small worlds: Exploring connectivity through social network analysis (Richard Gale)
Ethics and phronesis in planning (Huw Thomas)
 

Whilst studying this module, students will practise and develop a number of skills. Students will learn to identify the relative merits of contrasting epistemological and methodological perspectives on the research process. They will learn when and how to use different research methods. They will develop skills in ideas generation and in the identification of a researchable topic. Students will also develop skills in writing research proposals and undertaking literature reviews. Whilst not actually carrying out independent research in this module, students will be given the necessary skills to design and implement a piece of research on their own.

Other skills developed by students will include:

• Skills of transport policy design and analysis which are now widely expected of transport planners working in the private and public sectors.
• Problem-solving skills and experience of building practical solutions to abstract geographical problems.
• Ability to produce their coursework in the form of a ‘consultancy-style’ report
• Enhanced skills in computer, IT and data management.

Report - (50%)

Practical exercises concerning some of the steps in the urban transport modelling system (50%)

Part A of the module will begin by introducing students to the epistemological bases of social science research for “planning” (in its widest sense) and, after C Wright Mills, introduce the “planning imagination”. This part of the module will then go on to outline the dominant research traditions in the social sciences and explain how these are intimately linked to choices made at each stage of the research process. The connections between epistemology, methodology and method are established here. The logic of enquiry for undertaking effective research is then explained along with an introduction to using quantitative methods, qualitative methods, mixed methods, case studies, secondary, documentary and archive research, visual research methods and field observation/ethnography. This part of the module concludes with discussions on data analysis and presentation.

Part B

• Introduction to Planning, Geography, Models in Planning
• Trip Generation
• Trip Distribution
• Mode Split and Modelling
• Traffic Assignment

Part A
Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods (4e) Oxford OUP.
Franklin, A. and Blyton, P. (eds.) Researching Sustainability: a guide to social science methods, practice and engagement. London. Earthscan.
Hennick, M (2011) Qualitative Research Methods. London. Sage.
May, T. (2011) Social Research: Issues, methods and process (4e). Maidenhead. OUP.
Silverman, D. (2010) Doing qualitative research: a practical handbook (3e). London. Sage.
Singh, K. (2007) Quantitative Social Research Methods, Thousand Oaks, Sage.

Part B
Ortuzar, J.D. & Willumsen, L.G. (2001) Modelling Transport, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester. 3rd Edition.
Bates, J. (2000) History of demand modelling In: Handbook of Transport Modelling Vol.1 (Eds. D.A. Hensher and K.J. Button), Elsevier, London
McNally, M.G. (2000) The four-step model In: Handbook of Transport Modelling Vol.1 (Eds. D.A. Hensher and K.J. Button), Elsevier, London
Shepherd, S.P., Timms, P.M. and May, A.D. (2006) Modelling requirements for local transport plans: An assessment of English experience, Transport Policy, 13: 307:317.
 

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