Social Scientific and Spatial Methods
This course provides students with essential tools for further studies in Urban and Regional Planning and Human Geography. It introduces scientific approaches, data sources and data collection methods, including both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Ethical considerations in research are also addressed.
Social Science and Spatial Methods, 7.5 credits, is included in the Bachelor's Programme in Human Geography – Society, Environment and Global Processes (180 credits) and the Bachelor's Programme in Urban and Regional Planning (180 credits) at Stockholm University, among others.
The aim of the course is to prepare students for empirical data collection and thesis work in subsequent courses in Human Geography or Urban and Regional Planning, through instruction in social science and spatial research methods.
The course provides knowledge of how to formulate a scientific research problem, address ethical considerations in the research process, evaluate sources and various methods of data collection, and identify relevant research within a specific theme. It offers an introduction to both quantitative and qualitative methods used in Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning.
Teaching Format
The teaching consists of an introduction, lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, workshops and supervision.
Detailed information, including assessment criteria, is provided at the course introduction and via the learning platform Athena.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, you are expected to be able to:
- explain and evaluate different scientific approaches within Urban and Regional Planning and Human Geography;
- critically evaluate sources and data collection methods;
- reflect on ethical considerations;
- argue for the advantages and disadvantages of various quantitative and qualitative methods;
- identify current research within relevant themes in scientific literature using reference and literature databases;
- apply different types of qualitative data collection and analysis methods;
- apply basic descriptive statistics.
Assessment
Assessment is based on oral and written presentations of submitted assignments.
Examiner
Assessment and grading are carried out by several teachers involved in the course.
Examiner:
Anders Rickegård
Within course packages and programmes:
The course is offered as a standalone course and is also part of the following 30-credit course packages:
Human Geography II – Population and Gender,
Human Geography II – Population and Migration,
Human Geography II – Landscape and Environment, and
Human Geography II – Globalisation and Cities.
It is also included in the second semester of the Bachelor's Programme in Human Geography – Society, Environment and Global Processes (180 credits) and the Bachelor's Programme in Urban and Regional Planning (180 credits).
