MSc Geographical Information Science

This unit is designed to support students through the process of planning and executing their dissertation. Students will receive skills training specific to dissertation research including research methods and approaches, research design, project planning, ethics, and risk assessment.

• To introduce students to approaches to, and process of scientific/geographical research.
• To guide students through the planning and design of their dissertation.
• To enable production of professional reports.
• To develop students' skills in searching for and analysing academic literature

Skills developed in research methods and project planning are highly sought by employers.

• An introduction to Research
• Choosing a Dissertation Topic
• Searching for Literature
• Refining your Research Questions and Reviewing the Literature
• Research Methodologies
• Research Ethics and Risk
• Designing and Producing an Academic Poster
• Results, Discussion and Conclusions
• Planning your Time and Writing up
• Poster Presentation Session

Interactive lectures and workshops: 18 hours

Poster presentation session: 2 hours

130 hours of private study/directed reading.

All sessions are synchronous.

The classes will be delivered via a mix of lectures, workshops and presentations. Course materials will be delivered via Blackboard.

A session on searching for and critically reviewing literature will be provided by JRUL.

Students will be clearly sign-posted to my learning essentials workshops and on-line resources on dissertation research and other relevant study skills.

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature of the research process, through effective planning of their dissertation research
• Evaluate the strengths of different research methods and approaches
• Design clear and achievable research questions

• Identify appropriate academic sources
• Critically evaluate academic sources
• Abstract and synthesise information
• Identify an appropriate dissertation topic and justify the  significance of proposed research
• Select and justify appropriate research methods for their dissertation research

• Use databases and search tools to find academic literature
• Use IT to an advanced level to design and produce a digital academic poster
• Plan a research project.

• Communicate written ideas and information clearly and concisely
• Present ideas clearly during oral presentations
• Manage time and study independently
• Work productively in small groups, discussing ideas with peers and providing formative feedback on the ideas of others

Critical Annotated Bibliography - Within 15 working days via turnitin; summary cohort feedback on Critical Annotated Bibliography delivered in-class.

Dissertation Proposal Poster - Within 15 working days via turnitin; formative feedback at poster presentation session from course staff, dissertation supervisors, and other staff and PGRs.

There is no formal formative assessment task. On-going formative feedback is provided on dissertation ideas through discussions with the dissertation supervisor. Formative feedback is also provided through in-class workshops and discussions with peers and staff.

Discussions with staff and peers at the poster presentation session will be used to inform and improve the final dissertation.

Becker, L. (2014). Presenting your research: Conferences, symposiums, poster presentations and beyond. Sage.

Gatrell, J. D., Bierly, G. D., Jensen, R. R., & Thakur, R. R. (2005). Research design and proposal writing in spatial science. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.

Gomez, B., & Jones III, J. P. (Eds.). (2010). Research methods in geography: A critical introduction (Vol. 6). John Wiley & Sons.

Montello, D., & Sutton, P. (2012). An introduction to scientific research methods in geography and environmental studies. Sage.

Parsons, T., & Knight, P. G. (2015). How to do your dissertation in geography and related disciplines. Routledge.

Thomas, R. (2019). Turn Your Literature Review Into An Argument: Little Quick Fix.