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2020/2021

Methodology

Code: 42510 ECTS Credits: 9
Degree Type Year Semester
4313300 Regional and Population Studies OB 0 1
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Jordi Nadal Tersa
Email:
Jordi.Nadal@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)

Teachers

Joaquin Recaño Valverde
Jordi Nadal Tersa
Antonio Miguel Solana Solana

Prerequisites

It is recommended to have previously studied subjects related to research methodology (quantitative and qualitative).

It is essential to have completed at least one semester of a Statistics, Data Analysis or similar courses, with descriptive and inferential statistics. If these subjects or other related subjects have not been studied, the teaching staff will provide complementary and basic material to be able to follow the course.

Objectives and Contextualisation

In this master's module, advanced methodological tools normally used in statistics and in qualitative research methods are treated. Apart from the formal aspects of compulsory knowledge and application in all research work, the subject is oriented towards effective and practical work with methodological instruments of both quantitative and qualitative types, and underlines the social and territorial focus. We work with methods of multivariate statistical analysis, database management, application of quantitative and qualitative methods, diagnosis and territorial proposal.

In addition to the aforementioned contents, this module has also a section where we will work on the methodology with which the Master's Final Works must be developed.

Competences

  • Apply critical concepts and advanced theoretical approaches to the study of land use and population
  • Apply the different methodologies of geographic and demographic analysis at different territorial levels and population sizes
  • Assess the impact of the framework laws, economic, political and social in the demographic and territorial dynamics.
  • Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously.
  • Design projects of urban and regional planning using figures and methodologies appropriate territorial scales
  • Detect the complexity of territorial and demographic dynamics and recognize the most efficient management mechanisms, particularly in conflict situations
  • Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
  • Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
  • Using the techniques of projection and mapping for the design of future scenes.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply the main techniques and processes for obtaining information on the qualitative analysis.
  2. Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously.
  3. Develop forecasts of future population dynamics using the main methods of population projection.
  4. Distinguish the main methodological phases of territorial planning: analysis, diagnosis and proposals.
  5. Evaluate the processes of territorial transformation and population using methodologies and tools related to theories of reference, able to measure the mechanisms of action and results.
  6. Know the main laws and of urban planning and land development
  7. Knowing the main methods of urban and regional planning.
  8. Projecting the multidimensional nature of spatial analysis.
  9. Recognizing the need to manage the territory in an integrated way and taking into account its various dimensions (social, political, economic, demographic, environmental and physical).
  10. Recognizing the relationship between political and territorial dynamics legal system, population system.
  11. Recognizing the usefulness of mapping and GIS for spatial planning.
  12. Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
  13. Understand the current concept of landscape in spatial planning.
  14. Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
  15. Use quantitative methods of analysis and territorial diagnosis.
  16. Use sources of statistical information for territorial planning.
  17. Using computer for demographic projections programario
  18. Using indirect techniques of demographic estimation.

Content

Elaboration of the Master's Final Work (professor Jordi Nadal)

In these first sessions of the module, the guidelines to prepare the Master's Final Work will be developed

4 sessions of 2 hours:

  • Structure of a Master's Final Work
  • Bibliography
  • Database
  • Structure
  • Layout

Qualitative methodology (professors Miguel Solana)

The aim of these sessions will be to know the use and limitations of the main qualitative analysis techniques focused on territorial studies and the preparation of land use and planning proposals. The sessions will combine theoretical aspects with the implementation of practices with qualitative analysis software programs. The following aspects will be discussed in the sessions:

a) The combination of methods and the use of the qualitative methodology within the mixed methodologies

b) The use of participatory methodologies that involve the active participation of groups/social groups object of study in the definition of the investigation and the field work

c) The main ethical aspects involved in the use of qualitative methodology, especially aspects related to anonymity and confidentiality, and covert research strategies

d) An indication of the qualitative techniques and their application to territorial and urban planning studies. Special emphasis will be placed on walking interviews and visual methods (photostimulation, photovoltaics and photodocumentation).

e) Finally, the process of qualitative information analysis will be worked on: coding and analysis of information with qualitative software programs (CAQDAS), specifically the Atlas.ti program. These internships will be carried out entirely in the computer rooms of the Faculty of Arts.

8 sessions of 2 hours (professor Miguel Solana):

Maincontributions and uses of the qualitative methodology
Mixed methodologies
Participatory methodologies
Ethical aspects of research with qualitative methods
Qualitative techniques (walking interviews and visual methods) and application to territorial studies

4 sessions of 2 hours:

  • Intense analysis of information: coding
  • Computer tools for qualitative information analysis (CAQDAS)

Quantitative methodology (professors Joaquín Recaño and Oriol Marquet)

Numerical and spatial tools for the analysis of residential segregation and socioeconomic inequalities in urban areas.

The objective of this module is to introduce students to different techniques and numerical and spatial analysis methodologies that will be of great use when dealing with the analysis of urban spaces.

Computer tools for qualitative information analysis (CAQDAS).

8 sessions of 2 hours (Professor Joaquín Recaño):

  • Obtaining local data at infra-municipal level and building dynamic tables in Excel
  • Introduction to descriptive statistics: central tendency and dispersion indicators
  • Contingency tables analysis and Pearson Khi-2 test
  • Inequality indicators: Lorenz curve and Gini index
  • Calculation and interpretation of segregation and spatial concentration indicators
  • Exploratory analysis of spatial data (AEDE) with the GeoDA program, use and interpretation of the Global and Local Moran indicators
  • Application of numerical and spatial tools to a case study

4 sessions of 2 hours

  • Development of the case study with guided practices on descriptive statistics, calculation of indicators of segregation and inequality and application of the GeoDa program.

Methodology

The work methodology will be combined: face-to-face classes (methodological exposure by the teacher); seminar sessions (discussions and debates from previous presentations); practices with computer software (computing practices in the computer classroom); in group and individualized tutorials; commentary on bibliography readings; and autonomous work of the student.

Distribution of tasks:

• Face-to-face E-A (40%).
• Supervised E-A (20%).
• Autonomous E-A (40%).

The activities that could not be done onsite will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB’s virtual tools. Exercises, projects and lectures will be carried out using virtual tools such as tutorials, videos, Teams sessions, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools, or will offer them feasible alternatives.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Classes by the teaching staff, seminar sessions, classroom practices, master classes with ICT support and group discussion 83.5 3.34 5, 7, 4, 3, 15, 9, 16
Type: Supervised      
Discussion of readings of books and articles and tutorials in group/individualized 30 1.2 5, 7, 4, 9
Practicing the calculation and interpretation of territorial and demographic indicators 48.75 1.95 5, 7, 4, 9
Type: Autonomous      
Reading books, articles and other teaching materials. Study of the bibliography, preparation of works and presentations on readings and practices 62.75 2.51 5, 7, 4, 9

Assessment

 

Evaluation activities  
Final master's degree development  
Preparation of partial orders 16%
   
Qualitative methodology  
Practices associated with Atlas.ti 14%
Reviews 8%
Attendance and active participation 20%
   
Quantitative methodology  
Reports and practices 34%
Attendance and active participation 8%
  100%

 VERY IMPORTANT: Total or partial plagiary of any of the exercises will automatically be considered “fail” (0) for the plagiarized item. Plagiary is copying one or more sentences from   unidentified sources, presenting it as original work (THIS INCLUDES COPYING PHRASES OR FRAGMENTS FROM THE INTERNET AND ADDING THEM WITHOUT MODIFICATION TO A TEXT WHICH IS PRESENTED AS ORIGINAL).    Plagiarism is a serious offense. Students must learn to respect the intellectual property of others, identifying any source they may use, and take responsibility for the originality and authenticity of the texts they produce.

In the event that assessment activities cannot be taken onsite, they will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB’s virtual tools (original weighting will be maintained). Homework, activities and class participation will be carried out through forums, wikis and/or discussion on Teams, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools, or will offer them feasible alternatives.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Assignments related to the partial elaboration of the TFM 17% 0 0 5, 2, 9, 14, 18
Attendance and participation in face-to-face sessions 16% 0 0 13, 7, 4, 12, 2, 10, 14
Practices associated to Atlas.ti software 25.5% 0 0 1, 3, 8, 17
Reports and practices related to quantitative methodology 33.5% 0 0 7, 3, 15, 8, 11, 16
Reviews 8% 0 0 6, 10

Bibliography

Manuals and articles on methodology of research in social sciences

Ayllón Pino, Bruno (2010), “Consejos prácticos para realizar una buena investigación” a Enara Echart Muñoz, Rhina Cabezas Valencia, José ángel Sotillo Lorenzo (coords.), Metodología de investigación en cooperación para el desarrollo. Madrid: Catarata, pp. 57-74.

Babbie, Earl (2010, 12è edició), The practise of social research. Wadsworth.

Brunet, Ignasi, Pastor, Imma, & Belzúnegui, Angel (2002). Tècniques d'investigació social: Fonaments epistemològics i metodològics. Barcelona: Pòrtic.

Bryman, Alan (2004), Social research methods (2nd ed.). Nova York: Oxford University Press.

Corbetta, Piergiorgio (2007), Metodología y técnicas de investigación social. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.

Clifford, Nicholas; Cope, Meghan; Gillespie, Thomas (2003), Key methods in Geography. Londres: Sage.

Cloke, Paul et al. (2004), Practising human geography. Londres: Sage.

Cresswell, John W.; Plano Clark, Vicky (2018), Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Echart Muñoz, Enara et al. (2010) (coords.), Metodología de investigación en cooperación para el desarrollo. Madrid: Catarata.

Estruch, Joan (1992), "El conflicte quantitatiu/qualitatiu: un fals problema" a Técniques qualitatives en Ciències Socials. Cicle de conferències. Barcelona: Societat Catalana de Sociologia, pp. 7-16.

Farthing, Stuart (2016), Research design in urban planning,. A student’s guide. Londres: Sage.

Flowerdew, Robin; Martin, David (eds), Methods in Human Geography: a guide for students doing research projects. Londres: Logman.

Kitching, Rob; Tate, Nicholas J. (2000), Conducting research into Human Geography. Theory, methodology and practice. Harlow: Prentice Hall.

Quivy, Raymond;  Van Campenhoudt, Luc (2007), Manual de recerca en ciències socials. Barcelona: Herder

 

Qualitative methodology

Bustos, Raquel; García, Javier;  Chueca, Diego (2018) Guía práctica para facilitar la participación ciudadana. Una selección de herramientas presenciales y digitales para el trabajo colectivo. Departamento de Relaciones Ciudadanas e Institucionales. Gobierno de Navarra.

Callejo, Javier (2001), El grupo de discusión: introducción a una práctica de investigación. Ariel: Barcelona.

Calvey, David (2017), Covert research. The art, politics and ethics of undercover fieldwork. Londres: Sage.

Charmaz, Kathy (2006), Constructing grounded theory. A practical guide through qualitative analysis. Londres: Sage.

Cook, Ian (1997), “Participant Observation” a Robin Flowerdew, David Martin (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Essex: Longman, pp. 127-150.

Denzin, Norman K., & Lincoln, Yvonna S. (Eds.). (2000), Handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Guasch, Oscar (1997), Observación participante. Madrid: CIS.

Gutiérrez Brito, Jesús (2008), Dinámica del grupo de discusión. Madrid: CIS.

Harper, Douglas (2002), "Talking about pictures: a case for photo elicitation", Visual Studies 17(1): pp. 13-26.

Harper, Douglas (2012), Visual sociology. Londres: Routledge.

Friese, Susanne (2014), Qualitative data analysis with Atlas.ti. Londres: Sage.

Hay, Iain (ed.) (2005), Qualitative research methodsin Human Geography. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kusenbach, Margarethe (2003), "Street Phenomenology: The Go-Along as Ethnographic ResearchTool", Ethography 4 (3): 455-485.

Limb, Melanie; Dwyer, Claire (eds) (2001), Qualitative methodologies for geographers. Londres: Arnold.

Michael Meyer; Sylvain Maresca. (2015), Compendio de fotografía para uso de sociólogos. Barcelona: Bellaterra.

Montañés Serrano, Manuel (2009), Metodología y técnica participativa. Teoría y práctica de una estrategia de investigación participativa. Barcelona: Editorial UOC.

Muñoz Justicia, Juan; Sahagún Padilla, Miguel (2017), Hacer análisis cualitativo con Atlas.ti. https://manualatlas.psicologiasocial.eu/atlasti7.pdf

Pujadas Muñoz, Juan J. (1992), El método biogràfico: el uso de las historias de vida en ciencias sociales. Madrid: CIS.

Rose, Gillian (2008), “Using photographs as illustrations in Human Geography”, Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 32 (1), pp. 151-160.

Richards, Lyn (2005), Handling qualitative data. A practical guide. Londres: Sage.

Salmons, Janet (2016), Doing qualitative research online. Londres: Sage.

Lewins, Ann; Silver, Christina  (2014), Using software in Qualitative Research. A step-by-step guide. Londres: Sage.

Silverman, David (Ed) (1997), Qualitative research: Theory, method and practice. Londres: Sage.

Trinidad, Antonio et al. (2006), Teoría fundamentada “grounded theory”. La construcción de la teoría a través del anàlisis interpretacional. Madrid: CIS.

Valles, Miguel S. (1999), Técnicas cualitativas de investigación social. Reflexión metodológica y práctica profesional. Madrid: Síntesis.

Valles, Miguel S. (2002), Entrevistas cualitativas. Madrid: CIS.

 

Quantitative methodology

Anselin, Luc (1995). Localindicators of spatial association—LISA. Geographical analysis, 27(2), 93-115.

Bardina, Xavier i Farré, Mercè (2005). Estadística: un curs introductori per a estudiants de ciències socials i humanes. Volum 2 descriptiva exploratòria bivariant. Introducció a la inferència. Bellaterra: Servei de Publicacions Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Col•lecció Materials 166.

Bayona, Jordi (2007). La segregación residencial de la población extranjera en Barcelona:¿ una segregación fragmentada? Scripta Nova: Revista Electrónica de geografía y ciencias sociales, (11), 235.

Deurloo, Marinus i Musterd, Sako. Ethnic Clusters in Amsterdam, 1944-96: A Micro-area Analysis. Urban Studies. 1998, vol. 35, nº 3, p. 385-396.

Ebdon, David (1982) Estadística para geógrafos. Barcelona: Oikos Tau. pp 18-23, 28-33, 51-68, 129-142, 168-175, 182-212, 240-249.

Eggerickk, Thierry i Poulain, Michel (1996) “De la variabilité des paramètres démographiques pour les petites populations”, Espace, populations, sociétés, 14 (1) 93-102

Garrocho, Carlos i Campos-Alanís, Juan (2013). Réquiem por los indicadores no espaciales de segregación residencial. Papeles de población, 19(77), 269-300.

López Roldan, Pedro i Fachelli, Sandra (2015). Metodología de la Investigación Social Cuantitativa. Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès):Dipòsit Digital de Documents, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. 1ª edición. Edición digital: http://ddd.uab.cat/record/129382

Marqués, Felicidad i Asensio (2009), Estadística descriptiva a través de EXCEL. México D.F.: RC Libros.

Martori Joan Carles  i Karen Hoberg (2004). Indicadores cuantitativos de segregación residencial: El caso de la población inmigrante en Barcelona. Scripta Nova: Revista electrónica de geografía y ciencias sociales, (8), 169. http://www.ub.edu/geocrit/sn/sn-169.htm

Martori, Joan Carles i Hoberg, Karen (2008). Nuevas técnicas de estadística espacial para la detencción de clusters residenciales de población inmigrante, Scripta-Nova, Vol. XII, núm. 263. http://www.ub.edu/geocrit/sn/sn-263.htm

Martori, Joan Carles; Hoberg, Karen, & Surinach, Jordi (2006). Población inmigrante y espacio urbano: Indicadores de segregación y pautas de localización. EURE (Santiago), 32(97), 49-62. https://scielo.conicyt.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0250-71612006000300004

Martori, Joan Carles (2007). La segregación residencial en Barcelona. Llibre Blanc de l'Habitatge a Barcelona.

Massey, Douglas S. i Denton, Nancy A. (1988). The dimensions of residential segregation. Social forces, 67(2), 281-315

Raso, José M.; Martín Vide, Javier i Clavero, Pedro (1987) Estadística bàsica para Ciencias Sociales. Barcelona: Ariel. pp.77-92, 256-257

Recaño, Joaquín i  Esteve, Albert (2006). (Re-) visitando García Faria: Un estudio de los factores espaciales y medioambientales de la mortalidad en la Barcelona de finales del siglo XIX. Revista de Demografía Histórica, 24(1), 121-180.

Sánchez , Cristina i Domínguez , Màrius (2001), “Anàlisi de l’estructura social de les comarques catalanes a partir de dades censals”, Revista Catalana de Sociología, 14, p.193-213.

Sánchez, Joan E. i Moreno David (1997), Perfil sòcio-econòmic dels municipis catalans. Instruments per a la gestió, Barcelona, Fundació CIREM.

Instituto Nacional de Estadística

Centre d’Estudis Demogràfics

Institut d’Estadística de Catalunya

https://spatial.uchicago.edu/