Module Identifier GG27420  
Module Title PRACTISING HUMAN GEOGRAPHY  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Miss Kate Edwards  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Professor Richard M Lucas, Dr Graham S Gardner  
Pre-Requisite GG10720  
Mutually Exclusive GG21510 , GG21310  
Course delivery Lecture   10 x 2hr lectures  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment RESEARCH METHOD REPORTS Students will be required to include assignments designed to demonstrate their achievement of the learning outcomes by undertaking a number of practical research projects. These will be two research methods reports out of four offered. Each report is 2000 words in length (40% each) 80%
Semester Assessment PORTFOLIO The students will submit a reflective portfolio of short exercises with an exercise relating to each methods lecture.20%
Supplementary Assessment RESUBMISSION Resubmission of failed assessment components. New titles (research methods reports and exercises) will be set.100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
  1. Identify the differences between research methodologies and analytical methods at an epistemological and practical level.
  2. Produce a coherent research question
  3. Plan an appropriate research programme by justifying the choice of appropriate methodological techniques.
  4. Conduct a research programme and evaluate its effectiveness
  5. Analyse and communicate geographical research material

Content

Content to be delivered will normally include:

Lecture 1: Introduction
Lecture 2: Using Quantitative Data in Human Geography
Lecture 3: GIS in Human Geography
Lecture 4: Interviewing and Focus Groups
Lecture 5: Participant Observation
Lecture 6: The Analysis of Quantitative Data
Lecture 7: Media, Policy and Contemporary Texts
Lecture 8: Analysing Contemporary texts
Lecture 9: Archives and Historical Sources
Lecture 10: Analysing Historical Sources

Brief description

This module provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge of the methodological techniques which are used to produce knowledge in human geography. It provides skills which will be used by students in the field and in particular for their dissertation project.

Module Skills

Problem solving Developed by students designing research projects to address a set of research questions.  
Research skills Developed through the provision of theoretical and practical knowledge of the methodological techniques used to produce knowledge and undertake research in human geography.  
Communication Developed by the production of written project work  
Improving own Learning and Performance Developed through participation in group discussions and informal class presentations  
Team work Developed by requiring students to informally participate in group work  
Information Technology Developed through the production of research reports  
Application of Number Developed by analyzing quantitative research materials  
Personal Development and Career planning Developed through the provision of transferable research skills that are valuable to employers  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Clifford, N and Valentine, G (2003) Key Methods in Geography Sage
Cloke, P. et al (2004) Practising Human Geography Sage
Flowerdew, R and Martin, D (1997) Methods in Human Geography: A guide for students doing a research project Longman, Harlow
Kitchen, R and Tate, N (2000) Conducting Research in Human Geography: Theory, Methodology and Practice Longman, Harlow

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5