GY452 Half Unit
Urban Research Methods
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Laura Antona
Siddharth Menon
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Environment and Development, MSc in Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research) and MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority: MSc Urbanisation and Development students. Priority is typically for students enrolled in Geography and Environment programmes, or joint degree programmes, however course specific availability is indicated via the 'Availability section' on the LSE course guide webpages. Guidance on how to apply to individual controlled access courses can also be found on LSE for You in the Graduate Course Selection system.
Please note: The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If a course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department's discretion and a waiting list may be created. It is advised to have an alternative course in mind as a back-up in case you are unable to secure your first-choice course selection.
Deadline for application: Further guidance and information on course selection for Geography and Environment courses (GY4xx) will be available on the Geography and Environment Course Selection Moodle page which will go live from Monday 8 September and will be updated with course availability information daily throughout the course selection period. This page includes information on the timeline for course selection decisions in the Geography and Environment Department as well as the individual course application processes and requirements
A list of all taught master's courses in this Department are listed on LSE's course guide webpages.
For queries contact: geog.ud@lse.ac.uk
This course is available on the MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) for those students who choose the MSc in Urbanisation and Development track for their Year 2 studies.
Course content
The course aims to introduce students to the key methods that are frequently mobilised to carry out research on urbanising societies around the world. Additionally, the course is to help students think more systematically about methodological considerations in order to execute a successful dissertation research. Below is an indicative list of themes that are normally covered in the course:
- Designing an urban research project and ethics
- Working with archives
- Interviews and focus groups
- Conducting ethnography
- Quantitative data and questionnaires
- Analysis and write-up
Teaching
15 hours of seminars and 15 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.
Formative assessment
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the WT.
Indicative reading
Flyvbjerg, B. (2001) Making social science matter: Why social inquiry fails and how it can succeed again. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Hay, I. (ed.) (2010) Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Heimer, M. and Thogersen, S. (eds.) (2006) Doing fieldwork in China. Copenhagen: NIAS Press
Hennink, M. et al (2011) Qualitative Research Methods. London; Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Sayer, A. (1992) Method in social science: A realist approach. London: Routledge
Ward, K. (ed.) (2012) Researching the city: a guide for students. London: Sage
Assessment
Presentation (30%)
Essay (70%, 3000 words)
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 18
Average class size 2024/25: 18
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication