Applied research methods in urban and regional planning / Yanmei Li and Sumei Zhang

Preface. -- Chapter 1 Research Methods and the Planning Process.-- Chapter 2 Identifying the Research Problem.-- Chapter 3 Research Design.-- Chapter 4 Data Collection.-- Chapter 5 Data Presentation.-- Chapter 6 Communicating the Research Findings -- Chapter 7 Statistical Analysis -- Chapter 8 Qualitative Data Analysis.-- Chapter 9 Demographic Analysis.-- Chapter 10 Analyzing the Local Economy -- Chapter 11 Evaluation Research -- Chapter 12 Urban Land Use Analysis -- Chapter 13 Transportation Planning Analysis -- Chapter 14 Environmental Analysis -- Chapter 15 Housing Analysis.

This book introduces the fundamentals of research methods and how they apply to the discipline of urban and regional planning. Written at a level appropriate for upper-level undergraduate and beginning master’s level students, the text fills a gap in the literature for textbooks on urban planning. Additionally, the book can be used as a reference for planning practitioners and researchers when analyzing quantitative and qualitative data in urban and regional planning and related fields.

The volume does not assume advanced knowledge of mathematical formulas. Rather, it begins with the essentials of research methods, such as the identification of the research problems in planning, the literature review, data collection and presentation, descriptive data analysis, and report of findings. Its discipline-specific topics include field research methods, qualitative data analysis, economic and demographic analysis, evaluation research, and methods in sub-disciplines such as land use planning, transportation planning, environmental planning, and housing analysis.