Researching the City: A Guide for Students

by Kevin Ward (Editor)

‘Extends a warm welcome to students who have come face-to-face with the daunting task of producing a dissertation. Written in an accessible and engaging style, it deals with the nitty-gritty of researching the city... a must-have for the student!’
- Kim England, University of Washington

‘An invaluable guide to urban research design for undergraduate and graduate students alike. It provides the novice researcher with a wealth of practical advice on theory, methods, writing style, and everything else one needs to know to design and manage a successful urban research project.  I wish this book had been available when I started my research career!′
- Byron Miller, University of Calgary 

‘Replete with tremendously useful advice and guidance for students of all social-science disciplines undertaking significant research projects on urban issues... students writing undergraduate and master’s theses, or even doctoral dissertations, are likely to find it tremendously useful as well.’
- David L. Imbroscio, University of Louisville

This practical guide for students focuses on the city and on the different ways to research it. The authors explains how research is done, from the original idea to design and implementation, through to writing up and representation.

Substantive chapters explain each method in detail, from using archival methods, interviews, ethnography, questionnaires, discourse analysis and diaries, to using GIS and visual methods. 

With real world examples throughout and guided further reading for each chapter, it is an inspiring guide for students carrying out their own research in urban geography, urban planning, urban studies and urban sociology courses.

Genres: Nonfiction

184 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2013

About the author

The Reverend Doctor Kevin Ward is Lecturer in African Studies in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Leeds (retiring in February 2014). He is a trustee of the Church Mission Society and a member of the General Synod of the Church of England.

Reviews

[Eshsquared · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a great overview of the types of research involved in Urban Studies, and also does its part to show what Urban Studies is all about. So many teachers say, "Go do research," without much guidance. The chapters on different types of research open up a world of new "glasses" for reading the City.

Also, worth noting, this platform associates this book with the wrong Kevin Ward. This is written by Kevin Ward, geographer and director at the Manchester Urban Institute, although he is soon moving to the States to direct the Urban Studies Institute in Atlanta.

[Reka Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is slightly outdated and some of the chapters are very uncomfortable to read. Alos, it is very unlikely anyone will find all the chapters equally interesting and informative due to their character and description of very different kinds of research. However, if you identify your research way in one of the chapters and need a bit of path leading and ideas go for it, don't expect too much depth however, it appears to be mostly directed at undergraduate research.

[Brittain Corbett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good situational book that works best while consecutively writing a dissertation or research paper.