| SES # | TOPICS | KEY DATES | 
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to policy and planning inquiry | |
| 2 | Ways of knowing in policy and planning research | |
| 3 | Theories and research questions Writing research proposals  | CNC I: Write research question | 
| 4 | Elements of research design | CNC II: Summary of research ideas / advisor meeting | 
| 5 | Measurement, validity, and reliability | CNC III: Revisit question, develop hypotheses, and identify variables | 
| 6 | Reading research proposals Completing the first-year paper  | LG I: Epistemology | 
| 7 | Causality and experimental designs Research ethics and research on human subjects  | CNC IV: COUHES exam | 
| 8 | Sampling, survey research, and questionnaire design | LG II: Survey questions | 
| 9 | Interviewing | LG III: Interview questions | 
| 10 | Case study research Unobtrusive measures  | LG IV: Summary of proposal | 
| 11 | Field research, participatory research, and action research | |
| 12 | The scholar's journey | LG V: Final proposal |