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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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