BA Geography with International Study / Course details

Skills for Geographers is here to help you develop your research skills. It will enable you to consider and enhance skills that you are learning through your modules and broader university life, and teach you new research skills to undertake critical real-world enquiry in human and physical geography.

• Enable students to recognise and enhance the skills that they have as  Geographers;
   
• Improve skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking and reflection; 
   
• Develop geographical research skills in quantitative and qualitative data gathering and interpretation;
   
• Provide training in practical skills and methodologies that are needed to develop a critical and organised approach to the execution and writing up of research project or dissertation.
   

Geographical research and methods training, including statistics. Specific syllabus depends on student selection from range of geographical methods workshops. The module begins with an introduction to research design, outlining the key principles of physical and human geography research. There are then a series of workshops that cover key research methodologies.

For all students:
Quantitative analysis

Students select 2 additional workshops from a list. Options offered generally include:  Visual methods
Discourse analysis
Ethnography and observation
Interviews
Spatial data
Visualising geographical data
Environmental monitoring
Environmental reconstruction
Surveys  
 

This is a practical and varied course unit. There will be a mix of lectures, interactive discussions, and workshops on data analysis and presentation. Extensive material will be available on Blackboard including lecture slides selected reading material, reading lists, and information relating to the assessments

• Understand the key methodological requirements of a successful research project / dissertation.

• Plan and execute two independent pieces of work relating to specialist research methods in physical and / or human geography;

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of specialist research methods in physical and / or human geography;

• The ability to gather, synthesise, discuss, interpret and analyse data;

• Work effectively with quantitative datasets and understand key statistical concepts, including describing and displaying quantitative data, carrying out and interpreting the results of appropriate statistical tests

• The ability to use research skills to solve real world issues.

• The ability to work independently;

• The ability to communicate proficiently in oral and written format;

Formative Assessment Task  How and when feedback is provided

Formative oral feedback on progress within quantitative methods sessions will be provided in class.

Assessment task                   Length           How and when feedback is provided        Weighting

Quantitative Methods             1 hour                   Written within 15 working days                 30%
un-seen exam                     (equivalent to 
administered via VLE              1000 words)
    

Workshop 1 Assignment        1,000 words or      Written within 15 working days                 35%
(options include report,          equivalent
essay, critical reflection, 
or poster)

Workshop 2 Assignment         1,000 words or       Written within 15 working days               35%
(options include report,            equivalent
essay, critical reflection, 
or poster)

Reading will be supplied depending upon the workshops selected by studends

 

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