This week is about deciding the kind of data you need to answer your research question, and developing the skills you need to collect that data.

In the first set of video interviews, we ask experienced researchers to tell us about the kind of data that they collect. You will see that the answer differs according to what they want to find out.

For inspiration, you might want to take a look at this recent project conducted by researchers at UCL IGP and the local community of Bar Elias in Lebanon.

Howayda Al Harithy, a professor of Architecture at AUB, uses this kind of research approach and explains why in the next step of the course.

Then we turn to developing your research skills, focusing on interviews and observations. We meet some novice researchers as they learn how to perfect their techniques. You can follow their progress and practice the same exercises yourself.

When you are finished with this week, you will be in an excellent position to begin to plan for your own research project. In week 3 we will take you through the steps of creating a short research proposal that you can submit for feedback from other participants. So while you are working through the exercises this week, it might help to start thinking about which of the methods you can use for your research.

Over to you

In the forum, discuss how are you feeling about the prospect of learning some new skills for data collection? Share your thoughts with other participants.