Module GEOG1222: INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH (BA)

Department: Geography

GEOG1222: INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH (BA)

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To introduce students to a variety of methods for research and analysis in human geography
• To enable students to select appropriate methods for different field contexts
• To enable students to select appropriate methods for the study of diverse geographical issues
• To develop students’ geographical skills in bibliographic, textual, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis

Content

• This module is designed to give students a broad introduction to research in Geography in Term 1. Lectures will focus on the philosophical and practical issues involved in different research approaches for a range of geographical environments. Students will learn how to approach a topic and formulate research questions, and will be offered a broad introduction to qualitative and quantitative research. In the practicals, students will practice this knowledge as applied to particular research techniques. In Term 2, the module focuses more specifically on a range of current methods in human geography, offering students more in depth conceptual and practical learning. Students will also be prepared for two days of fieldwork in Newcastle upon Tyne, where they will formulate, conduct, analyse and reflect on a research project on a contemporary issue. As such the module offers a grounding in human geography research that will prepare them for more advanced methodological training and empirical practice later in the degree programme
• Lecture themes (Term 1): Research design, Tools and data collection, Quantitative and qualitative data analysis, GIS
• Practicals (Term 1): Formulating research questions and problem solving, Use of Excel for data handling and data presentation, Formulating social research tools - interviewing, Introduction to remote sensing and image processing
• Lecture themes (Term 2): Geographical Epistemologies, Ethics in Geographical Research, Ethnography/observation, Introduction to fieldwork
• Practicals (Term 2): Advance quantitative data analysis, participant observation, field work preparation, field work follow up
• Fieldwork (Term 2): 2 full day trips to Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
• Understand the linkages between research design, information collection, analysis, display and interpretation
• Demonstrate understanding of basic statistical terminology
• Demonstrate understanding of appropriate qualitative and quantitative approaches
• Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods to undertake research and analysis in human geography
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and conceptual underpinnings of research

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to
• Formulate basic research questions and proposals in human geography contexts
• Design simple research projects using a diversity of approaches and techniques
• Demonstrate ability with appropriate software packages to undertake geographical analysis and research
• Use a range of methods to undertake geographical analysis and research
• Demonstrate basic competence with methods of analysis used in human geography
• Apply basic statistics to geographical data
• Evaluate and reflect upon the ethical and conceptual underpinnings of a research project

• Basic competence in the use of range of software packages
• Analytical skills
• Ability to analyse data
• Ability to work effectively within a group

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures will provide an introduction and theoretical background to underpin the fieldwork and practical work. These will be supported by additional reading lists, which will enable the student to build on information provided in the lectures
• Since learning outcomes are focused on skills and methods, practicals and fieldwork will play an important role in the module by providing active learning environments where the students are encouraged to engage with the subject matter
• Formative assessment will allow the students to receive feedback on skills that will be the focus of summative assessment
• Fieldwork will enable the student to gain 'hands on' experience of collecting and analysing data using a range of techniques and methods. The module has no essay based examination. In order to align the assessment with the learning outcomes which are focussed on skills, all marks will come from summative assessment

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

2 formative assessments preceding summative assignments - DUO-based e-assessment of basic statistical and GIS techniques (individual work). Research Project Proposal (Group)

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University