This module is discontinued in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.
2014/15 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG2070 Research Methods
30 creditsClass Size: 120
Module manager: Dr Robert Vanderbeck
Email: r.vanderbeck@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2014/15
This module is mutually exclusive with
GEOG2075 | Research Methods in Practice(JH) |
Module replaces
GEOG2065 - Research Methods with Career SkillsThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
This module strives to provide students with:- knowledge of the respective strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to conducting research in human geography and the social sciences
- an awareness of key principles in research in human geography focused around three core methodological strands: 1) social data analysis; 2) GIS and spatial analysis; and 3) qualitative research methods.
- confidence in putting methods of data collection and analysis into practice, related to the three strands above.
- skills for writing up geographical research effectively
Learning outcomes
STRAND 1: SOCIAL DATA ANALYSIS
- a solid grounding in the statistical analysis of geographical data that students might collect or encounter during geographical enquiry;
- with a clear understanding of different types of numerical data and appropriate statistical techniques for their analysis;
- with skills to produce and interpret appropriate graphical outputs, statistical summaries and models for geographical data;
- with confidence in working with numbers in geographical enquiry/dissertation work
STRAND 2: GIS and SPATIAL ANALYSIS
- a solid grounding in geographical information systems and spatial analysis concepts;
- a clear understanding of different types of geographic and attribute data (and their sources);
- a clear understanding of functions of GIS and of techniques for spatial analysis;
- skills to produce and interpret appropriate graphic and cartographic outputs, statistical summaries and models for geographical data;
- confidence in using GIS and spatial analysis in geographical enquiry/dissertation work.
STRAND 3: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
- understanding of principles of qualitative research design;
- awareness of principles of data collection related to interview methods and participant observation;
- knowledge of techniques of strategies for analysing qualitative data;
- sensitivity to the particular ethical issues that can arise in qualitative research;
- awareness of a diversity of qualitative approaches
Skills outcomes
- Use of techniques of statistical analysis in geography
- The use of Geographical Information Systems
- Methods of qualitative interviewing and other qualitative techniques within human geography and the social sciences
Syllabus
The module is divided into three strands: 1) Social Data Analysis; 2) GIS and Spatial Analysis; and 3) Qualitative Research Methods;
STRAND 1: SOCIAL DATA ANALYSIS
This strand will consist of 10 lectures and 5 practicals focusing on the nature of numerical data; methods of representing quantitative data; principles of sampling; survey design; and statistical analysis. Feedback on these practicals will be provided formatively via online model answers and discussion in the following lecture.
STRAND 2: GIS and SPATIAL ANALYSIS
This strand will consist of 10 lectures and 5 practicals focusing on issues including geographic and attribute data; data linkage, storage and thematic mapping; geocoding, overlay and buffering; scale issues: modifiable areal unit problem; spatial diversity and concentration; inconsistency; origin-destination data sources and measures; visualisation: cartograms and flow mapping; area aggregation and classification; and modelling for spatial analysis.
STRAND 3: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
This strand will consist of 10 lectures, 5 practicals, and 5 seminars focusing on issues including: the rationales for using qualitative methods; principles of research design (such as site selection and sampling); research ethics; and techniques of data collection and analysis.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 30 | 1.00 | 30.00 |
Practical | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
Practical | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
Seminar | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
Private study hours | 240.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 60.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300.00 |
Private study
240 private study hours (a combination of independent reading; completion of assessment tasks; and exam revision)Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Assessment is distributed between semesters 1 and 2, so there will be multiple points during the term when students will receive feedback on practical work and other assessments prior to the exam.Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Group Project | Strand 3: 1 x Qualitative Methods group project (4000 words plus mandatory appendices), groups of approx 5 students) | 20.00 |
Project | Strand 1: (1000 words) | 13.00 |
Practical | Strand 2: Practicals 4-5 | 20.00 |
Written Work | Strand 1: Design of Questionnaire | 7.00 |
Practical | Strand 2: Practicals 1-3 (formative only) | 0.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 60.00 |
STRAND 2 practicals 1 to 3 are formative
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 40.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 40.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 11/05/2015
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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