Research Methods for People and Environment Studies
Course description
The course provides students with an understanding of how to develop reliable and valid research designs adopting lenses of investigation from the field of Environmental Psychology. Based on theory and research on people–environment interactions, various approaches to specific research questions are presented. Principles for defining research questions and designing investigations will be outlined, demonstrated, and discussed. This provides a foundation for understanding how different methods produce different types of knowledge.
The course covers qualitative and quantitative research design, including surveys, fieldwork, observation, interviews, and basic statistical analysis. Particular attention is given to different ways to do research, including the relationship between epistemological perspectives, research questions, data collection, analysis, interpretation, reflexivity, and ethics.
In the qualitative module, students are introduced to different ways of working with qualitative material and to how qualitative research can produce situated, contextual, and meaning-oriented knowledge about people–environment relations.
Further, in the quantitative module, the course includes exploration and testing of software used in the social sciences, such as SPSS. Scientific writing is practiced through short papers and proposals where different research questions, designs, methods, and forms of analysis are tested.
Compulsory seminars provide space to discuss methodological choices, ethical issues, source criticism, and the relation between research design and knowledge production. The course is given online, with certain mandatory meetings required.
Entry Requirements
Course facts
MP0003, Research Methods for People and Environment Studies, 15.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: Programnämnden för utbildning inom landskap och trädgård (PN - LT), 2019-11-14
Valid from : Spring semester 2021 (2021-01-18)
Level
Second cycle (A1N)
Main field of study
Landscape Architecture, Environmental Psychology
Grading Scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
Objectives
The course aims to give an overview over current research methods and techniques that are used to investigate the interactions between people and environment. The course serves as an introduction to the methods of Master- and PhD-studies in the field.
After completion of the course, the student will be able to: • report on the various techniques and methods that are used in people and environment studies • identify possible research questions and/or hypotheses concerning the interaction between people and environment • exemplify, describe, and motivate the choice of method for specific research questions in the area • design qualitative and quantitative studies • select and conduct basic qualitative and statistical analyses • write a scientific report, including references and critical analysis of sources and literature • identify and explain ethical issues in research studies.
Content
Based on theory and research on people and environment interactions various study approaches to specific research questions will be presented. Principles for defining research questions and suggestions for the design of investigation will be outlined, demonstrated and discussed. This will provide the foundations for explaining how different methods provide different types of knowledge. Alternatives in designing studies will be demonstrated and practiced. The strategies presented belong to a broad field of people–environment studies including methods typical for experiments in lab, surveys as well as fieldwork with participant observation. Scientific writing will be practiced, including management of literature references and source criticism, resulting in a number of short papers where different methods are tested, and a final complete scientific paper. Compulsory seminars where the different methods are discussed are also included. Examples of ethical issues that may arise in studies including human beings will be illustrated and discussed.
The course combines mandatory online meetings with tasks carried out independently.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
Participation in compulsory elements. Approved participation in seminars. Successful completion of exercises. Passed scientific paper.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of People and Society
Supplementary information
Included in program
- Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-being - Master's Programme
- Sustainable Food Systems – Master's Programme
- The Master's Programme Sustainable Food Systems
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Qualitative inquiry | 7.5 | 0102 |
| Quantitative inquiry | 7.5 | 0103 |
The Course Replaces
LK0240
Other Information
The course is given as a distance course, with mandatory online meetings, at 50% speed.