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2010/11 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG1230 Analytical Skills in Physical Geography

20 creditsClass Size: 120

Module manager: Dr Pippa Chapman
Email: p.j.chapman@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2010/11

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The aim of GEOG1230 is to introduce you to analytical skills in physical geography. This includes discussing the nature of geographical data, data collection, data analysis (including laboratory, statistical and spatial analysis) and writing up a project.

Objectives

On completion of this course students should be able to:
1. demonstrate an ability to execute and to report geographical research individually, including the synthesis of research design, methodology, presentation and analysis of results, and critical analysis around a geographical question;
2. understand the range of sources of, and techniques available for analysing, geographical data, including the link between the question being asked and the most appropriate method required to answer it;
3. undertake basic research methods in physical geography;
4. use Information Technology, including statistical software and GIS, to explore geographical questions;
5. gain enough practical experience and confidence in using statistics to facilitate critical thinking about test selection, interpretation and presentation of statistical test results.

Skills outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
A9 The theory and application of quantitative, visualisation and other spatial techniques across a wide range of geographical contexts

B Cognitive skills
B1 Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
B2 Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
B3 Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
B4 Developing reasoned arguments
B5 Solving problems and making reasoned decisions

C Practical/professional skills
C1 Plan, design, execute and report geographical research both individually and as part of a team
C2 Undertake effective laboratory and field work (with due regard for safety and risk assessment)
C3 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)
C4 Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative geographical data

D Key skills
D3 Apply numerical and computational skills to geographical information
D4 Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
D6 Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively

Syllabus

Semester 1
Week - Activity - Description
1 - Lecture - Introduction, Aim and Objectives
2 - Lecture - Types and Sources of Geographical Data I
3 - Lecture - Sampling and Inference I
4 - Lecture - What are statistics and what are they used for? Types of variables and visualisation.
2 hour practical computer lab 1: introduced concepts; introduction to using Excel and SPSS for producing good quality graphics.
5 - Lecture - Soil Formation and soil properties
6 - Lecture - Information about field trip and Health and Safety
7 - Fieldwork - Field Trip to Carleton-in-Craven, Airedale
8 - Practical - Soils Lab - Practical 1
No Lecture
9 - Practical - Soils Lab - Practical 2
9 - Lecture - Worksheet review for Practical 1
10 - Practical - Soils Lab - Practical 3 & 4
10 - Lecture - Worksheet review for Practical 2 - significance of soil organic matter
11 - Practical - Soils Lab - Practical 3 & 4
No Lecture

Semester 2
1 - Lecture - Descriptive statistics and distributions
2 hour practical computer lab 2: descriptive statistics and distributions; introduction to using Excel and SPSS for statistics.
2 - Lecture - Hypothesis testing and overview of bivariate tests; chi-squared test
2 hour practical computer lab 3: hypothesis testing concepts and test selection; chi-squared test in Excel.
3 - Lecture - Difference of means, analysis of variance and correlation tests
2 hour practical computer lab 4: carrying out tests, interpreting and presenting results.
4 - Lecture - Simple linear regression and overview of 'what comes next': multivariate tests, binomial regression, time series
2 hour practical on simple linear regression 5: carrying out test, testing for assumptions and interpreting results.
5 - Lecture - Report Writing and Introduction to GIS
5 - Practical - Computer Lab - web based
1 hour interactive practical 1: example-based revision of statistical concepts and overview of techniques.
6 - Lecture - GIS
6 - Practical - Computer Lab - Arc View
1 hour interactive practical 2: analysing example dataset 2
7 - Reading week
8 - Lecture - GIS
8 - Practical - Computer Lab - Arc View
1 hour interactive practical 3: analysing example dataset 3.
9 - Lecture - GIS
9 - Practical - Computer Lab - Arc View
10 - Lecture - GIS
10 - Practical - Computer Lab - Arc View
11 - Lecture - Conclusions and Report
11 - Practical - Computer Lab - Arc View.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	1	7.00	7.00
Lecture	19	1.00	19.00
Practical	3	1.00	3.00
Practical	14	2.00	28.00
Private study hours			143.00
Total Contact hours			57.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

143 hours made up of reading, completing worksheets for each practical and preparing interactive practical 3 report and final report.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Formative assessments.
- Feedback to worksheets completed in each 2-hour practical will be provided instantly, automatically by using Questionmark Perception software;
- Marks and comments on manually marked sections will be returned to students during the following week.
- Feedback will also be given directly to the students during the interactive practical sessions:
Semester 1, Weeks 6-11
Semester 2, Weeks 1-4, 6, 8-11.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	2,000 word report	80.00
Practical	Worksheets - set during Semester 1 and 2. due weekly and marked mostly automatically , using Questionmark Perception (marks can be inputed automatically directly into Blackboard). Final portfolio submitted Semester 2 week 24.	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Practical Worksheets - set during Semester 1 and 2. due weekly and marked mostly automatically , using Questionmark Perception (marks can be inputed automatically directly into Blackboard). Final portfolio submitted Semester 2 week 24.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 21/02/2011

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