In a broad, interdisciplinary field such as Planning, research may be conducted in a number of ways. Five possible research approaches are suggested below. They are by no means mutually exclusive: a research project may include two or more of these approaches, or approaches other than those described.
The descriptive study
This approach attempts to identify the characteristics of a problem through description. Because the subject cannot be described in all its detail, careful selection of facts must occur. Facts should be gathered according to pre-determined criteria and for the purpose of demonstrating relationships of interest. To the extent that the descriptive study of a particular problem provides one with a generalized understanding of a phenomenon that, in turn, can be employed to understand other specific problems, this approach is useful and acceptable. An example of this approach would be a description of an unusual planning program in operation in one Municipality, with the objective being to illustrate how the program differs from similar programs found in other Municipalities.
The explanatory study
This approach attempts to find the answer to an enigmatic question. For example, why has an urban area acquired its particular shape, or why has a city council refrained from allowing mobile home parks in the community? The explanatory studies are designed to investigate origin - cause-effect relationships. The typical study includes the collection of empirical data for the formulation of hypotheses or less pretentious hunches and the subsequent test of these hypotheses by any one of a number of ways available to the researcher.
The remedial study
The remedial study seeks to formulate plans to correct or improve undesirable social, economic, political, and environmental conditions. These undesirable conditions, causes and processes associated with them are analyzed. Plans, strategies, and policies are formulated to remedy the undesirable conditions. Implementation methods may be suggested. A remedial study may be directed to the solution of pollution of a lake ringed by cottages or to pedestrian and vehicular conflicts in the central business district.
The methodological study
The methodological study attempts to devise, test or improve new research methods in Planning. The study may deal with the development of a specific technique for the discipline or may take a technique developed by another discipline and attempt to apply it to a Planning context. Possible examples of this approach are innumerable; for example, the application of new forecasting techniques developed in Management Science to a planning problem, or an attempt to develop methods for breaking down cross census information into smaller temporal or areal units.
The historical study
If it is designed to facilitate a deeper understanding of historical processes and is not merely an attempt to fill gaps in our factual knowledge, the historical approach can be very useful. Studies detailing the transference of the modern town Planning movement from Europe to North America or the evolution of company towns in Ontario would be appropriate uses of the historical approach.
A suggested essay format
The following is a suggested outline for the essay. The structure may well vary, depending on the topic, the treatment given, and the advice of an advisor as how to most effectively present the material and research findings.
- Abstract (mandatory)
-
Introduction
- statement of problem
- significance of problem
- purpose of study
- assumptions and limitations
- Review of preceding research and literature
-
Survey
of
pertinent
information
- methodology and techniques employed
- sources of information, data
- Analysis
-
Summary
and
conclusions
- recommendations for further research
- References
- Appendices, if needed.