Planning entails regular use of qualitative and quantitative data. Planetizen Courses offer instruction on everything from working with Census data to urban informatics and crowdsourcing. Broaden your research skills and learn how to collect and analyze publicly available and original data to make informed, equitable, and effective policy decisions.

Research Methods Courses

map showing demographics using geoda software
Measuring Neighborhood Segregation and Diversity
Emily Talen
56 Mins
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A
population map of united states from census 2010
Working with Census.gov 1: Background and Geography
Chris Williamson
77 Mins
an image of the concept of data and a city skyline at night
Introduction to Urban Informatics
Amir Hajrasouliha
35 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • SACPLAN CPD
exterior of census bureau building
Working with Census.gov 2: Topics, Programs, Products
Chris Williamson
75 Mins
materiality determination graphic
Principles of Materiality, Responsiveness, Inclusivity, and Impact
Carlos Zapata
61 Mins
  • CIP
  • AICP CM
data map from census website
Working with Census.gov 3: Interacting with the Data
Chris Williamson
65 Mins
state and county census map
Working with Census.gov 4: Quality, Interpreting and Examples
Chris Williamson
64 Mins
downward view of crowd crossing intersection
Introductory Population Analysis with Excel
William Riggs
50 Mins
  • SACPLAN CPD
aerial view of suburban neighborhood
Introductory Housing Analysis with Excel
William Riggs
55 Mins
  • SACPLAN CPD
rendering of neighborhood
The DIY Form-Based Code: Research and Development
Norman Wright
66 Mins
cars in traffic
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Accounting for Cities
Michael R. Boswell, Tammy Seale
60 Mins
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A
  • SACPLAN CPD
couple viewing land with binoculars for urban planning course
Citizen Science in Urban Planning
Kendra Smith
35 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • SACPLAN CPD
crowd walking on city sidewalk for urban planning course
Crowdsourcing and Urban Planning
Kendra Smith
26 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • SACPLAN CPD

Top Research Methods Instructors

Chris Williamson

Chris Williamson has spent 40 years in academia, public and private sector planning, and environmental analysis.

VIEW COURSES
Kendra Smith

Kendra L. Smith, Ph.D. is the Associate Director for Community Engaged Research in the Office of...

VIEW COURSES
William Riggs

William (Billy) Riggs, Ph.D., AICP, LEED AP is a nationally recognized professor, consultant, and strategist.

VIEW COURSES
Carlos Zapata

Carlos Zapata is a Sustainability and ESG professional who is a graduate of Yale's MBA in...

VIEW COURSES
Amir Hajrasouliha

Amir Hajrasouliha is an architect, urban designer, and city planner with years of professional and academic...

VIEW COURSES
Emily Talen

Emily Talen is Professor of Urbanism at the University of Chicago. Her research is devoted to...

VIEW COURSES
Tammy Seale

Tammy Seale is a principal with Michael Baker International and director of the Sustainability and Climate...

VIEW COURSES
Michael R. Boswell

Michael R. Boswell is a Professor of City & Regional Planning at California Polytechnic State University...

VIEW COURSES
Norman Wright

Norman Wright is the Director of Neighborhood Services for Adams County, Colorado. In his career as...

VIEW COURSES

Related Topics

SEARCH MORE TOPICS BELOW

Master Urban Planning Skills With A Planetizen Courses Subscription.

Sign up
Computer

High quality video lessons developed by experts.

Analytics

Complete course work to receive a certificate from Planetizen.

Certificate

Test your comprehension with course quizzes.

Cloud

Access reading lists, articles, and other materials prepared by instructors.

All Research Methods Courses

Podcasting for Planners Sign Up

Podcasting for Planners

Instructor: Ma'ayan Dembo

Audio editing is a great way to tell a story, share information, create a digital record of events, or improve community outreach. In this course, learn the basics of podcasting and audio editing.

4.31
58 Mins
GIS Walkability Modeling Sign Up

GIS Walkability Modeling

Instructor: Steph A. Nelson

As the field of planning continues to trend toward multi-modal, sustainable transportation practices, tools to model or analyze the walkability of a given area have grown in number and complexity. In this course, students will learn how to apply ArcMap and the Spatial Analyst extension to model walkability. The course assumes students have a working knowledge of GIS and basic familiarity with Spatial Analyst.

4.27
46 Mins
SACPLAN CPD

Topic

Credit

SACPLAN CPD (1) ‌

Software