Tentative schedule (Subject to Change)

Week 1: Introduction to Statistics RK

Introduction of the Course, Definition of statistics, its brief history, strength and weaknesses of statistics. Why should urban planners use statistics? Classification of statistics. Different kinds of statistics, Different sources of statistical data

Week 02: Data Collection RK

Sample and population, Different types of sampling, Sampling for quantitative and qualitative survey, Sample size determination (it will be repeated in the Statistics for Planners-II course, in this course basic idea will be given, simple rule of thumb will suffice), Biasness

Questionnaire preparation, basics, Different kinds of questionnaire Week 03: Data Sources and Presentation RK

Processing of data: classification of data, array formation, frequency distribution, variable & attribute, continuous & discontinuous series, construction of frequency distribution of variables, class interval.

Week 04: Representation of statistical data RK

graphical representation- graph types; construction of graphs—frequency distribution graphs, histograms, frequency polygon, derivation of polygon from histogram, frequency curve, ogive, diagrams-simple bar, multiple bar, multidimensional diagrams, pictogram, cartogram-maps.

Class Test -1 (End of 4th week)

Week 05: Data types RK

Level of measurement Simple and multivariate data types

Week 06: Measure of Central tendency -1 RK

Introduction to measure of central tendency Mean, Mathematical logic of mean, Different kinds of mean

Week 07: Measure of Central tendency -2 RK

Median, Mathematical logic of median, Mode, Mathematical meaning of mode Relationship and Difference among the central tendencies

Class test -II (End of 7th week)

Week 08 : Review of Week-1 to 7 RK

Content

To be

conducted by

Page 1 of 2Week 09: Measure of Spread KSI

Range, Quartile and Inter-quartile range, Absolute Deviation and Mean Absolute Deviation, Variance, calculation of standard deviation from grouped & ungrouped data, the quartile deviation, Standard deviation (SD), SD of mean, Week 10: Distribution of numbers KSI Essence of statistical distribution, Relationship with the data types, Conditions and properties of different kinds of numerical distributions

Week 11 & 12: Normal Distribution KSI

Conditions and properties of Normal Distribution, Moments, Skewness and kurtosis, Z-score

Week 12: Probability KSI

The concept, Theorem, sequence of events

Class Test –III (At 12th week)

Course Evaluation:

Among the first two class tests best one will be counted and the third class test is mandatory. No makeup class test(s) will be allowed.

Attendance:

If your attendance is less that 50%, you will not be able to appear at the final examination. Distribution of the allocated number (10) for attendance will be in accordance with the Undergraduate ordinance.

Course Overview

This course introduces the foundations of social research to MURP students. It will also emphasize the different types of social research along with the different school of thoughts and philosophical approaches in social research. Students will learn the research concepts and theories: constructing a frame for analysis, research designs (Quantitative/Qualitative/Mixed Methods), relevant literature and data, techniques in reviewing and using literature, and data analysis and presentation tools and techniques. 

Course Objectives

This course aims to introduce the foundations of social research to MURP students. It discusses the philosophy of research, research design, the assumptions and approaches adopted in social research. It also familiarizes students with different theoretical, conceptual and practical issues involved in conducting and completing social research. In addition, it provides students with the knowledge, skills to understand quantitative and qualitative research methods and also offers the types of skills necessary for the planning, data gathering, analyzing and dissemination stages of social research.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

By the end of the course, students will have developed a good understanding of:

• The philosophical and theoretical bases and assumptions of social research

• The issues and epistemological underpinnings surrounding qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches

• Process of doing review of literature

• Major research paradigms and designs

• A range of approaches to analyzing the qualitative and quantitative data

• Develop a research proposal with specific focus on methodological choices and the implications of such choices

• Using NVivo for doing literature review and analyzing qualitative data

• Writing up a research proposal and develop analytical skills to independently assess the coherence of research proposals