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2014/15 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2075 Research Methods in Practice (JH)

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Robert Vanderbeck
Email: r.vanderbeck@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2014/15

Module replaces

Geog 2240; Geog 2130, Geog 2230 and Geog 2960

This 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
Cognitive skills
Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
Solving problems and making reasoned decisions

Practical/professional skills
Plan, design, execute and report geographical research both individually and as part of a team
Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative geographical data
Employ a variety of technical and laboratory-based methods for the analysis and presentation of spatial and environmental information (e.g. GIS, water chemistry, etc)
Recognise the ethical issues involved in geographical debates and enquiries

Key skills
Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
Apply numerical and computational skills to geographical information
Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources


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.

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 typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture301.0030.00
Practical51.005.00
Practical102.0020.00
Seminar51.005.00
Private study hours140.00
Total Contact hours60.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

140 private study hours (a combination of independent reading and completion of assessment tasks)

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 typeNotes% of formal assessment
Group ProjectStrand 3: 1 x Qualitative Methods group project (4000 words)33.33
ProjectStrand 1: (1000 words)22.33
Written WorkStrand 1 Questionnaire11.00
PracticalStrand 2 GIS - pracs 1-3 (formative only)0.00
PracticalStrand 2 GIS - pracs 4-533.33
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)99.99

STRAND 2 pracs 1 to 3 are formative.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 02/02/2015

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