Research Methods for Planners (PLAN30003)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Urban areas are a complex interplay between social systems and the range of physical, economic, ecological and other forces that act upon them. Successful urban planning depends upon the comprehensive understanding of the social dimension of urban places. This subject provides theoretical and applied instruction in how to design, conduct and analyse social research related to urban planning and development. The workshop will integrate ethics, theory, principles of research and methods/tools with applied planning examples, giving students an opportunity to explore research foundations in a practice-relevant learning environment.
Students will develop the necessary skills to design, execute and analyse a substantial urban planning research project and to provide results/analysis in ways suitable for a range of users including the public, other planners and urban managers.
Intended learning outcomes
Having completed this subject it is expected that the student be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the key social issues facing urban places and the main mechanisms available to planners to understand and manage these issues;
- Understand key urban research methods;
- Demonstrate an ability to design, execute and analyse an applied research project, responding to a contemporary urban issue;
- Identify, gather and use key data sources, following appropriate ethics requirements;
- Demonstrate communication skills to convey key information to a wide audience.
Generic skills
Students completing this subject will have developed the following generic skills:
- High level written and oral communication skills;
- Familiarity with key planning issues;
- Problem solving and analytical skills;
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution;
- Capacity for independent thought;
- Ability to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;
- Ability to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABPL20035 | Cities: From Local to Global | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
It is recommended that students have completed all required first-year Urban Planning subjects.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Social research position paper
| Week 3 | 10% |
Social research report
| Week 7 | 25% |
Weekly quizzes
| From Week 2 to Week 11 | 25% |
Final report
| Week 14 | 40% |
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Judy Bush Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 1X2 hour lecture +1X1 hour tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 April 2025