Module Identifier GG21710  
Module Title ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF GEOGRAPHICAL DATA  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Bryn P Hubbard  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Other staff Mr Peter John Bunting, Dr Aled P Rowlands  
Pre-Requisite Only available to intending Honours Geographers  
Course delivery Practical   10 x 2 hours  
  Lecture   10 x 1 hr  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Workbooks. Continuous assessment based on the production of two workbooks. Workbook 1: Topics 1 to 5 to be sumitted by the end week 8 of Semester 1 (50%). Workbook 2: Topics 6 to 10 to be submitted by the end of Week 8 of Semester 2 (50%).100%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmission of both workbooks.  100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students will:

  1. Be competent in the acquisition, summary, analysis and presentation of geographical data.
  2. Be able to select and apply data acquisition, analysis and presentation techniques to support independent research work (e.g. Dissertations, fieldwork, project reports).

Brief description

The module will be presented in 10 sessions through weeks 1 to 5 of semester 1 (Sessions 1 to 5) and weeks 1 to 5 of Semester 2 (Sessions 6 to 10). This timing will ensure students have completed the module coursework and submissions by the end of Week 8 of each semester, freeing up time to complete background reading and coursework for other modules. It will also allow staff time to provide students with marks and feedback relating to each Workbook before the end of each semester.

Each session will comprise an introductory lecture of 1 hour following by a surgery class of 2 hours. Each session will be accompanied by a computer-based practical that students will be required to complete in their own time. We strongly recommend students complete their practical work in the week following the relevant lecture - allowing full use of the following week's surgery session and leaving time at the end of the semester to fine tune the completed workbook.

Familiarisation with the data handling, processing and presentation techniques involved will be achieved using data sets provided from a range of geographical and earth science settings.

Content

Semester 1: Data Analysis
1. Describing data: Sampling; data types; descriptive statistics; summary tables
2. Sample comparison I: Statistical testing in MS Excel
3. Sample comparison II: Statistical testing in SPSS/Minitab
4. Correlation and regression I: Linear
5. Correlation and regression II: Multiple

Semester 2: Data Presentation
6. Advanced graphing: Time series; histograms; multiple plots
7. Remote sensing I: Image display
8. Remote sensing II: Image statistics and enhancement
9. Cartography in GIS I: Surface graphs and contour plots
10. Cartography in GIS II: Map production

Module Skills

Problem solving Quantitative skills, statistical analysis and computer-based analysis of GIS and remotely sensed data  
Research skills Data collection, synthesis, analysis and presentation  
Communication Presentation of data and maps  
Improving own Learning and Performance Meeting coursework deadlines and producing two workbooks to specific assessment criteria  
Team work No  
Information Technology Advanced computer-based use of spreadsheets, statistical programmes GIS and remote sensing software  
Application of Number Use of mathematics/statistics in computer-based data synthesis and statistical exercises  
Personal Development and Career planning No  
Subject Specific Skills Specialist skills in GIS analysis.  

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
Chang, K (2006) Introduction to GIS Goodwill
Diamond, I. and Jefferies, J. (2001) Beginning statistics Sage
** Recommended Text
Ebdon, D. (1987) Statistics in Geography Blackwell
Johnson, R.J. (1980) Multivariate Statistical Analysis in Geography Longman
Kranzler, G. and Moursund, J. (1998) Statistics for the Terrified Prentice Hall
Shaw, G. and Wheeler, D. (1984) Statistical Techniques in Geographical Analysis David Fulton, London

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5