URBS 260: Analytical Methods in Urban Studies

URBS 260: Analytical Methods in Urban Studies

Writing & Validation

  • Instructor: Dr. Leila Ghaffari

  • Term: Winter 2026

  • Week: 9.2

Ethical Considerations in Research (Creswell & Poth, 2025)

  • Protecting participants from harm.

  • Ensuring accessibility of reports.

  • Offering access to study reports.

  • Avoiding duplicate publications.

  • Avoiding plagiarism.

  • Proof of compliance with ethical issues.

  • Ensuring agreement on the order of authorship.

Writing as Method (Creswell & Poth, 2025)

Concept Overview

  • Two researchers can analyze the same data and yield different analyses; one may feel convincing while the other does not.

  • The discrepancy may lie in the analysis or the writing rather than the data itself.

Importance of Writing in Qualitative Research

  • Validity is not established through statistics; instead, credibility is demonstrated through writing.

  • Writing illustrates:

    • The transition from data to interpretation.

    • The grounding of claims.

    • Transparency in analysis.

    • Carefulness in scope of the claims.

Example Comparisons

  • Weak Example: “Participants experienced discrimination in housing.”

  • Strong Example: “Several participants described interactions where communication stopped after disclosing they had children. One participant explained: ‘As soon as I mentioned my kids, they stopped replying.’”

    • Analysis: The second example is more convincing as it provides specific context and a direct quote, illustrating the issue in a clearer and more impactful manner.

Analyzing Writing Quality

Weak Writing Analysis Example

  • Statement: “Several participants mentioned difficulties in finding housing.”

    • Critique: This statement lacks depth and fails to substantiate the claim of systemic discrimination.

    • Implication: It leads to weak conclusions suggesting that the housing crisis and required policy improvements are not effectively communicated.

Utilizing Quotes in Research Writing (Creswell & Poth, 2025)

  • Types of Quotes:

    • Short Quotes: Eye-catching quotations that signify different perspectives.

    • Embedded Quotes: Briefly quoted phrases within the researcher’s narrative to maintain flow and context.

    • Long Quotes: Convey more complex understandings and should be guided before entering and exiting the quote.

Identifying Audience in Research Writing (Creswell & Poth, 2025)

  • Importance of identifying target audiences:

    • Determine the audiences for whom the study is written.

    • Consider the expected writing structure by the audience.

    • Clarify the objective of the report for the audience.

    • Identify other potential beneficiaries of the research findings.

Research Approaches and Outcomes (Creswell & Poth, 2025)

  • Narrative Research:

    • Focus: Individual or collaborative stories exploring life experiences.

    • Unit of Analysis: One or more individuals.

    • Research Outcomes: Understanding ‘essence’ of shared experiences.

  • Phenomenology:

    • Focus: Process, action, or interaction.

    • Unit of Analysis: Multiple viewpoints of individuals.

    • Research Outcomes: Theory grounded in participants' views.

  • Grounded Theory:

    • Focus: Development of a theory based on qualitative data.

    • Unit of Analysis: Viewpoints of many individuals.

    • Research Outcomes: Theories formed from participants' perspectives.

  • Ethnographic Research:

    • Focus: Cultural group behaviors, language, and rituals over time.

    • Unit of Analysis: A culture-sharing group.

    • Research Outcomes: Understanding of cultural functions and meanings.

  • Case Study Research:

    • Focus: Detailed descriptions and analysis of cases.

    • Unit of Analysis: One or more distinct cases.

    • Research Outcomes: In-depth understanding of selected cases.

  • Participatory Action Research:

    • Focus: Collaborative process to develop and implement actionable solutions.

    • Unit of Analysis: Community groups, organizations, institutions.

    • Research Outcomes: Ongoing community engagement and solutions.

Validity and Reliability in Qualitative Research (Creswell & Poth, 2025)

Definitions

  • Validity: Checking for the accuracy of the findings derived from the research.

  • Reliability: Consistency in approach across different researchers and projects.

Validation Strategies (Creswell & Poth, 2025)

Researcher’s Lens

  • Triangulation: Use of multiple data sources to corroborate evidence.

  • Negative case analysis: Identifying disconfirming evidence.

  • Engaging in reflexivity: Clarifying researcher bias.

Participant’s Lens

  • Member checking: Seeking feedback from participants.

  • Prolonged engagement: Ensuring persistent observation in the field.

  • Collaboration: Working alongside participants throughout the research process.

Reader’s Lens

  • External audits: Creating audit trails for reviewers to examine the process and findings.

  • Rich, thick descriptions: Providing detailed accounts of the context and participants.

  • Peer reviews: Seeking evaluations from colleagues and students for critique.

Reliability in Data Handling (Creswell & Poth, 2025)

  • Transparent details regarding data handling processes.

  • Consistency with code application and categorization.

  • Stability of responses from multiple coders of data sets.

Intercoder Agreement

  • Establishing common coding platforms

  • Preliminary code list development.

  • Sharing codebook among researchers.

  • Applying the codebook consistently and comparing across transcripts.

NVivo Software Overview

Initial Steps to Using NVivo

  • Create a new project or select from sample/recent projects.

  • Tools available include importing, organizing, and exploring data.

Project Management

  • Data files should be stored in the Files folder.

  • The option to create subfolders for better organization (e.g., grouping all interviews).

  • Importing files can be done through various commands or drag-and-drop features.

Coding Data

  • Once data files are imported, the next step is coding for thematic analysis.

  • The application of codes is fundamental for organizing qualitative research findings.

Using Coding Features

  • Visualizations, queries, and reports can be generated through NVivo for data analysis.

  • Reviewing coded sections and interpreting results is facilitated by highlighted coding stripes.

Note Taking and Documentation in NVivo

  • Users can create notes pertaining to text, files, or the overall project to capture insights and reflections throughout the research process.