Planning research methods

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Department of Urban and Regional Planning

Urban & Regional Planning Research Methods
URP 521/521L (15181/15185)

Gwen Urey, PhD

Professor

Winter, 2009, Mondays & Wednesdays 7-9:50

Office: 7-204, x2725

email: gurey@csupomona.edu

Meets in 7-203
Class web site in blackboard: http://blackboard.csupomona.edu/

Office hours:

Monday 3-4 pm and 6-7 pm
Tuesday 11-noon
Wednesday 4-6 pm*

*Office hours on 7 and 21 January, 11 February and 11 March will be rescheduled to 5-7 because of the Academic Senate meetings.

I. Catalog Description:
Introduction to use of probability and statistics in urban and regional planning research. Basic planning techniques; data analysis and display; projection techniques; land use surveys and coding; simple models; economic base and locational analysis; electronic data processing. 3 lecture/discussions; 1 three-hour laboratory. Concurrent enrollment required.

II. Course Objectives:

To provide students with a basic knowledge of elementary research methods, data sources, and analytical techniques used by planners;

To develop student competency in microcomputer-based methods of analysis and research. Student work will involve both computer-mediated and non computer-mediated methods;

To demonstrate the role of quantitative and qualitative methods or reserach in the plan-making process;

To develop skills in the oral, written, and graphic presentation of data obtained from urban settings;

To strengthen student's ability to work with others.

III. Course Requirements:

Attend all class meetings (Mondays and Wednesdays--as per the "Schedule of Activities" from 7-9:50 p.m.--the lab portion of the class is hybrid, so students will generally alternate between an online and a face-to-face meeting);
Timely completion and submission of weekly homework assignments based on lecture material. Assignments will be distributed each Monday and will be due the following Monday at the beginning of class unless otherwise specified. Each assignment may consist of two parts--a part that must be submitted online using the Bb "drop box" and /or a Bb Quiz, and another part that must be submitted as hard copy. The assignments will clearly specify which portion should be submitted online, which in hard copy. Late assignments will receive no credit. Assignments submitted after the beginning of class on the day they are due will be considered late. Bring two copies of your homework to class on the due date; we will go over it in class that day. Absolutely do not email or fax assignments unless specifically requested to do so. Unsolicited emailed or faxed assignments will not be acknowledged.;
Have a positive attitude about collaborating with other students in the course.

IV. Written Assignments:
You will write in this course. According to Cal Poly URP alumni, the ability to write well is the most valuable skill in the planning profession. Graphic and quantitative information "speaks for itself" to but a small proportion of people: verbal communication bridges the gap between ignorance and understanding for the larger proportion of people. An objective of the course is to learn how to build good bridges.

V. Examinations:
There will be an in-class midterm and a final exam, as noted in the schedule. For both exams, you may use any books, class notes, or calculators you bring, but no materials may be shared among students during either exam. To the extent possible, the final will cover only the material from the second half of the quarter.

VI. Readings:
The required text John W. Creswell's Research Design may be purchased at the Bronco Bookstore. Additional supplemental reading material may be provided or made available for purchase during the quarter.

VII. Basis for Grades:

10 % Class attendance and participation, including in-class assignments
30 % Assignments 1-8
30 % Exams (15 @ )
30 % Lab assignments

Lab I = 5 %
Lab II = 10 %
Lab III = 15 %

VIII. Statement on Academic Integrity:

Be aware of University guidelines regarding academic integrity (read the policy on page 58 in the 2008-09 University Catalog): All forms of academic dishonesty at Cal Poly are a violation of University policy and will be considered a serious offense. That is, violations will be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs and will result in failing grades on the assignment in question. Violations of #5 will result in a failing grade in the class. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to:

"Plagiarism--intentionally or knowingly presenting words, ideas, or work of others as one's own work. . . [as well as] using one's own work completed in a previous class for credit in another class without permission. . . .
Cheating during exams. . .
Use of unauthorized study aids . . .
Falsifying any University document--this includes . . .falsifying prerequisite requirements."
Academic dishonesty also includes presenting fabricated data as authentic.

IX. ACCESSIBILITY
Students with special needs of which the instructor should be aware should advise the instructor as soon as possible.

X. Schedule of activities (revised Thursday, 18 December, 2008 )

Week	Topic and assigned reading	Lab group mode of instruction	Due
1	Research Design starting points Creswell, Chapters 5-7	521L.01--face-to-face 521L.02--on-line	5 Jan.- Assignment 1 out 7 Jan.-Lab I out
2	Quantitative Methods Creswell, Chapter 8	521L.01--on-line 521L.02--face-to-face	12 Jan.-Assignment 1 in 12 Jan.-Assignment 2 out
3	Quantitative Methods Creswell, Chapter 8, continued 19 January--Martin Luther King Holiday, no class	521L.01--face-to-face 521L.02--face-to-face (using Weds. as lecture)	21 Jan. Assignment 2 in 21 Jan. Assignment 3 out 21 Jan. Lab I in
4	Qualitative Methods Creswell, Chapter 9	521L.01--face-to-face 521L.02--on-line	26 Jan. Assignment 3 in 26 Jan.Assignment 4 out 28 Jan. Lab II out
5	Dale Prize events Wed--6:00-8:00 pm: Dale Prize Colloquium	521L.01--face-to-face 521L.02--face-to-face (Dale prize Colloquium is required for all)	2 Feb Assignment 4 in 2 Feb. review for midterm 4 Feb. Dale Prize events
6	Midterm	521L.01--on-line 521L.02--face-to-face	9 Feb. Midterm 9 Feb. Assignment 5 out
7	Mixed Methods Creswell, Chapter 10	521L.01--face-to-face 521L.02--on-line	16 Feb: Assignment 5 in 16 Feb. Assignment 6 out 18 Feb: Lab II in 18 Feb. Lab III out
8	Proposing research Creswell, Chapters 1-2	521L.01--on-line 521L.02--face-to-face	23 Feb. Assignment 6 in 23 Feb. Assignment 7 out
9	Using theory Creswell, Chapter 3-4	521L.01--face-to-face 521L.02--on-line	2 Mar. Assignment 7 in. 2 Mar. Assignment 8 out 4 Mar. Lab III presentations
10	Catch up and review	521L.01--on-line 521L.02--face-to-face	9 Mar. Lab III presentations 9 Mar. Assignment 8 in, review for final 11 Mar. Lab III presentations
Finals week	FINAL exam: Monday, 16 March 8:10-10:10 pm

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