The student of smart city processes and urban environmental management needs to understand the research process which enables them to apply the knowledge and skills which they have learned and apply it to a specific urban sustainability / environmental management issue. This module is not intended to provide a training in research techniques, but rather to make students aware of a wide range of investigative and analytical methods and techniques using examples drawn from the areas of smart city approaches, urban sustainability and environmental management. In addition, students will be encouraged to appreciate the value of interdisciplinary research in developing a better understanding of how smart and sustainable cities should function. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and primary and secondary data collection will be covered. Students will reflect on the research process and its outcomes by critiquing research papers written from methodological standpoints. Students will then apply this knowledge to create a viable research proposal for their own masters capstone project. This proposal will require students to identify and justify for their chosen topic appropriate; research questions; methodologies and data sampling / collection technique; ethical and safety safeguards; and a timetable of action.

A. 2000 word essay which reviews literature appropriate to the chosen research topic (Learning
outcomes 5, 6) (60%)

B. 1200 word critical review of a technique appropriate to sustainable smart city research (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4) (40%)

C. Project Proposal equivalent 1750 words (Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4 & 5) (0%) but must be passed for students to pass the module.

It is expected that students allocate a minimum of 15 hours to engage and interact with their tutors and fellow peers. The module will run over 12 weeks, including time to complete the assessments to be graded. Over this period, you will work through self-instructional course material in a VLE which structures your learning by outlining a programme of specific activities and tasks. These tasks will be designed to provide you with further guidance in literature searching and reviewing and introduce you to the range of research techniques and methodologies that can be employed to research the application of smart city principles to urban sustainability and environmental management issues.
To complete these you will be reading and critically engaging with key texts, papers and other
documentary resources and discussing these with tutors and fellow students.

Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods (4th edition) OUP Oxford. (ebook edition)

Czarniawska, B. (2014) Social Science Research: From Field to Desk. Sage . (ebook edition)

Fahy, F. & Rau, H. (2013) Methods of Sustainability Research in the Social Sciences. Sage. (ebook edition)

Kuniavsky, M. et al. (2012) Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner’s Guide to User Research. Morgan Kaufmann (ebook edition)

Portigal, S. (2013) Interviewing Users: How to Uncover Compelling Insights. Rosenfeld Media. (ebook edition)

Price, S. et al. (2013) The SAGE Handbook of Digital Technology Research. Sage (ebook edition)

Ward, K. (2013) Researching the city: a guide for students. Sage (ebook edition)

Access to the VLE used for delivering the module, access to e-library resources provided by Staffordshire University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Students must normally have satisfactorily completed the PgCert level.