This chapter introduces some of the basic principles and practices of undertaking research in urban analysis or urban planning courses. It begins by asking the question: ‘What is urban analysis’ and discusses the reasons why we might undertake urban analysis or planning research. It then introduces the reader to several basic research concepts that form the basic knowledge set covering most forms of research undertaken in the field. This includes introducing the reader to the different purposes of research, different methodological approaches and data sources, as well as to the important question of ethics in research.