What is the current spatial form and structure of our urban environment, and how can we study the factors and forces that account for the specific structure of urban space, its social and political processes, population distribution and land use? Addressing these and other issues, the authors highlight specific research questions and the ways in which they can be approached by offering a framework for considering the various ways in which to do urban research. Covering such topics as how to choose a research design, secondary research methods for data collection and how to enhance research utilization, the authors demonstrate ways to pair research questions with specific levels of analysis, such as neighbourhood, city or national level.