Abstract

JACOBS, Niké  and  CORNELIUS, Selna. Building blocks in Planning research methodology: A roadmap to research design options. Town reg. plan. (Online) [online]. 2022, vol.80, pp.105-117. ISSN 2415-0495.  http://dx.doi.org/10.18820/2415-0495/trptrp80i1.10.

Making sense of the myriad of available research design options is generally an arduous task for researchers. Proper research design is, subsequently, often neglected in Planning research, resulting in superficial research outputs. To simplify this task of designing research, a roadmap was created with 'building blocks' that organises available research design options. Supportive and guiding literature references are also provided for each listed option in the 'building blocks' as a point of departure for researchers. These 'building blocks' were created by conducting a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles, books, and grey literature on methodology for social and applied sciences (with a specific focus on Planning). Planning students and researchers may use these 'building blocks' as a point of departure for identifying and choosing options when designing their own research. Planning educators may find it useful in designing a thorough research methodology course.

Keywords : Literature review; mixed-methods research; multi-methods research; planning research; philosophical position; qualitative research; quantitative research; research methodology; research design; research methods.

        · abstract in Afrikaans     · text in English     · English ( pdf )