This module is core for all Level 5 Geography students and forms a bridge between Level 4 GG4090 Research and Fieldwork Methods and Level 6 GG6400 Research Project. This module also complements GG5002 Geographical Theory and Practice.
This is a research methods focused module where students will engage in classroom based data collection and analysis practical sessions in TB1 and put their learning into practice in a field-based setting in TB2. On completion of this module students will have gained first - hand experience of qualitative and quantitative research methods in both a classroom and a real-world environment. This complements the work that students do in Geographical Research Theory and Practice (GG5002) and prepares students for the level 6 dissertation.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
By its nature the module is practically orientated. Students will inhabit various learning spaces (eg. the lecture theatre, computer laboratory and the field). Practical sessions on data collection and analysis in TB1 will enable students to develop their research methods skills with a view to applying these skills in the field in TB2. Students will be introduced to the principles of fieldwork project design in TB2. Theoretical lectures will be followed-up with practical classes in which students will develop their ideas for field research. Here students will identify research topics, conduct literature reviews, establish research questions and appropriate methodologies and consider the logistical aspects of how they will manage their projects in the field. In doing so, students will work in small teams with staff guidance and support. Fieldwork enables students to test out their ideas relating to research design and execution and to apply the research methods skills developed in TB1. On completion of fieldwork students will present the results of their research findings which will form the final piece of assessment in this module. Research methods and field skills developed in this module will feed into student's independent research projects at level 6.
Employability skills will be developed throughout the module. These will include: teamwork and conflict resolution, time and project management, the delegation and prioritisation of tasks, professional interaction with industry experts, stakeholders and participants in research, and, oral and written communication skills. Students will be asked to reflect on employability in their final piece of assessment.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures | 16 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Practical | 44 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Seminars | 6 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Fieldwork (7 days) | 51 |
| Guided independent study | 183 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessments consist of:
(A) A qualitative research report (2,000 words) designed to assess qualitative data collection and analysis skills and report writing (30%).
(B) A quantitative research report (2,000 words) designed to assess quantitative analysis skills and report writing (30%).
(C) Fieldwork report that builds upon a formative pre-fieldwork research proposal (2,000 words) and a final fieldwork report (40%, 2,000 words plus graphics) in which students will report the findings of their research and reflect on fieldwork experiences.
Formative assessments include:
Formative feedforward will be provided throughout Teaching Block 1 within the practical sessions in which students will produce qualitative and quantitative reports to be summatively assessed.
Formative feedforward will be provided in Teaching Block 2 in the pre-fieldwork seminar sessions where students plan their research projects, conduct formative literature reviews and a formative fieldwork plan.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative geographical data. | (A) Qualitative and (B) quantitative research reports and (C) fieldwork assessment. |
| Understand the principles of academic research project design and execution. | (C) Fieldwork assessment that builds upon the experiences of the pre-fieldwork seminars and formative pre-fieldwork research plan. |
| Take account of, or mitigate, logistical considerations in field-based project design and management, safety aspects associated with such projects, ethical issues and intellectual property. | (C) Fieldwork report that builds upon the experiences of the pre-fieldwork seminars and formative pre-fieldwork research plan. |
| Execute a research project in a real-world context. | C) Fieldwork assessment that builds upon the experiences of the pre-fieldwork seminars and formative pre-fieldwork research plan that builds upon their experiences of their (A) qualitative and (B) quantitative research reports in Teaching Block 1. |
| Communicate with clarity the findings of a research investigation in written and oral forms. | (A) Qualitative and (B) quantitative research reports (C) Fieldwork assessment. |
| Identify and develop the wider transferable skills (including employability skills) that are gained from fieldwork: teaming work, planning, time-management, and liaising with industry experts and stakeholders. | (C) Fieldwork assessment. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Qualitative report | Coursework | 30 |
| Quantitative report | Coursework | 30 |
| Fieldwork report | Coursework | 40 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Clifford, N., French, S., and Valentine, G. (2010) Key Methods in Geography Sage Publications, London.
Hay, I. (2006) Communicating Effectively in Geography and the Environmental Sciences, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Knight, P. and Parsons, T. (2003) How to do Essays, Exams and Coursework in Geography and Related Disciplines, Nelson-Thornes, Cheltenham.
Kneale P.E., (2013) Study Skills for Geography, Earth and Environmental Students - A Practical Guide (3rd edition), London: Arnold.