URP 808: Planning Seminars

(NITP Professional Examination) Research in Planning

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

Research implies careful examination of an issue or situation for the purpose of bringing about societal development. It is a way of acquiring strategic insights about a particular issue across human endeavour (economic, town planning, public health, and educational planning among others) through analysis of collected data (primary or secondary) in order to arrive at a valid conclusion. The primary focus of research is to discover answers to different questions aimed at providing solutions to societal challenges across professional fields.

Walters views research as the application of the scientific method to attain or prove new and exciting theories. It is a search to establish new knowledge, facts, principles, theories and methods or validate existing ideas. Research is important in the field of town planning, to resolve different urban and rural development issues on housing, transportation, public health, local economic development, physical development patterns, planning policy, and infrastructure provision and financing among others. To provide tailor-fit solutions to these identified town planning there is a need for a better understanding of underlying factors and implications of these factors, and this is better achieved through a robust research process than guessing.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

In the town planning field or any other professional field, research activity could be carried out for any of these four reasons, these are:

i. Exploration: This is done when we want to generate ideas about a phenomenon. For example, examining the reasons for increased levels of poverty in rural areas compared to urban areas. Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics in its 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index stated that multidimensional poverty is higher in rural areas as 72% of rural dwellers are poor compared to 42% in urban areas.

ii. Description: This is when we want to describe the characteristics of a phenomenon. For example gully erosion or any other environmental hazards in a particular locality.

iii. Explanation: This is done when there is a need to indicate and highlight, the occurrence and trend of a phenomenon. If we are interested in the nature and level of association and causality between a given phenomenon. For instance: How does income determine the choice of neighbourhood residency? How does the physical planning permit process determine the nature of urban development? How does the existing and prevailing transportation system determine the level and nature of urban travel/urban mobility?

iv. Prediction: Another important objective of research in town planning is to predict the future, to determine what could likely happen in five years or ten years ahead. ate predictions. This research is conducted using different advanced statistical analysis tools of regression, forecasting tools and optimization. The past trends are used to determine future trends based on primary and secondary data collected in the research task. For instance: What is the likely future traffic generation rate and pattern in a given urban centre? What are the likely housing units required in a given city in five years?

TYPICAL RESEARCH PROCESS

i. Select a specific research area/problem: A specific area with regard to geography and subject theme needs to be selected. For instance for town planning research, you need to select a specific geographical coverage for the research (e.g. a specific urban area, the whole local government area or the State) and a specific subject theme (e.g. transportation, housing, disaster management etc). You are expected to indicate the reason(s) for these selections (geography and subject). The problem(s) that necessitate the research should also be clearly stated. This provides the foundation for the research activity.

ii. Formulate research aim, objectives and research questions/and hypotheses: Unambiguous stating of the research aim and objective is important, it clearly shows what is intended to be achieved through the research and how this would be undertaken. The research questions are expected to be derived from the stated research problems, and problem statements which oftentimes also indicate gaps in research. Hypotheses act as guides in a given research activity and help to determine the link between the research's different dependent and independent variables.

iii. Conduct a literature review: A literature review is conducted to examine existing areas of focus of a given research subject theme/topic. It helps to understand areas of research previously conducted to enable an increased level of familiarity and also importantly avoid duplication of research focus. Through a robust literature review that considers a wide range of literature on a specific subject theme, gaps in knowledge are also identified, these gaps are therefore filled by the current research.

iv. State Research Methodology: The research methodology should focus on the process of data collection vis-a-vis the type of data, sources of data, and collection instruments and methods of collection. In addition, the research sampling (sample, sample frame, sample size and sample procedure) should be clearly stated. This should who/what are the research population, the unit of analysis, the specific size of the research sample using different sample size determination tools and techniques and also an unambiguous statement on how the research sample will be selected.

v. Conduct Analysis, Draw Inferences and Highlight Recommendations: The conduct of data analysis using qualitative and quantitative methods is important in any given research task. The quantitative and qualitative data collected are collated, and analysed, and thereafter inferences are drawn on the outcome of the data analysis. The inferences will throw up the different dimensions, relationships and implications that will help to highlight measures to address the earlier stated research issues/problems. The researcher is also expected to suggest areas for further research based on the experience gained in the current research. This will serve as a guidepost for other researchers. For instance, the suggestion could be in the area of broadening the research subject theme, expanding the research geographic area, or focusing more on a specific area among others.

RESEARCH ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Based on Bryman & Bell (2007), important ethical considerations in research activity include:

1. Research participants should not be subjected to harm in the research.

2. Research participants’ dignity should be upheld.

3. Full consent should be obtained from the participants prior to the study.

4. Confidentiality of information and participant privacy should guaranteed.

5. Exaggeration in any form should be avoided in the research.

6. Conflict of interest in the research activity should be clearly stated.

TYPICAL CONTENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

1. Introduction

2. Statement of Problems

3. Research Questions

4. Aim and Objectives

5. Scope of Study

6. Significance of Study

7. Study Area

8. Brief Literature Reviews

9. Research Methodology

10. Conclusion

11. References

KEY STRUCTURE/CONTENT OF A PLANNING SEMINAR PAPER, PROCESS, CHALLENGES/MISTAKES (+ ROLE OF AUDIENCE)

Key Structure/Content of a Planning Seminar Paper(+ Process)

1. Topic

2. Abstract

3. Introduction

4. Study Area

5. Literature Review

6. Study/Research Methodology

7. Data Analysis/Discussion of Findings

8. Recommendations

9. Conclusion

10. References

11. Appendix (if there is any you include, if not don’t include)

Challenges/Mistakes in Seminar Paper Preparation & Presentation

1. Financial constraints to carry out research work needed for a seminar paper

2. Inadequate time frame to collect data

3. Inadequate human resource

4. iv.    Preparing a seminar paper like a full-blown thesis project

5. The short time frame for the presentation of findings during the seminar presentation

6. Where to present the seminar paper

7. Access to relevant materials for literature review

8. Poor understanding of statistical processes and techniques

Role of Audience in Seminar Presentation

1. Listening to the presentation

2. Critique/assessment of the paper

Relevance of ICT in Seminar Paper Preparation & Presentation

1. Enhance data collection i.e., using mobile phones for data collection or the use of an online survey form (e.g. Epicollect5, Google Form, SurveyMonkey etc).

2. Increase the speed and accuracy of data analysis through the use of computer statistical software analysis such as Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

3. Enhance the presentation of research findings through the use of computer presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint.

4. The presenter can combine audio, video and text during the presentation.

5. Ability to customize research presentation.

Typical Research Report Contents
Contents Pages
Title Page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Plates
Abstract
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of Problems
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Aim and Objectives
1.5 Scope of Study
1.6 Significance of Study
1.7 Study Area
Chapter Two: Literature Review and Conceptual Framework
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Literature Review
2.3 Conceptual Framework
Chapter Three: Research Methodology
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Data Sources and Types
3.3 Data Collection Instruments
3.4 Sampling Procedure
3.5 Data Presentation and Analysis
Chapter Four: Data Presentation and Analysis
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Residents Survey
4.3 Physical Planning Interview
4.4 Community Development Association Interview
Chapter Five: Summary of Findings, Recommendations and Conclusion
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary of Findings
5.2 Recommendations
5.3 Contribution of the Study to Knowledge
5.4 Conclusion
References
Appendices