Gwybodaeth am Fodiwlau

Module Identifier
GS13000
Module Title
Researching the World: data collection and analysis
Academic Year
2026/2027
Co-ordinator
Professor Michael Woods
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Semester 2 - Data Analysis Assignment 2  Worksheet with exercises on textual analysis involving completion of tables and a short commentary. 300 Words  25%
Semester Assessment Semester 1 - Data Analysis Assignment 1  Statistical data analysis exercise and report largely comprising table and graph outputs. 300 Words  25%
Semester Assessment Semester 2 - Data Analysis Assignment 3  Completion of exercises using digital maps and GIS, including creation of maps and commentaries. 300 Words  25%
Semester Assessment Semester 1 - Literature Review  Literature Review on the theme of 'Environmental Change'. 1000 Words  25%
Supplementary Assessment Semester 1 - Literature Review  Literature Review on the theme of 'Environmental Change'. 1000 Words  25%
Supplementary Assessment Semester 1 - Data Analysis Assignment 1  Statistical data analysis exercise and report largely comprising table and graph outputs. 300 Words  25%
Supplementary Assessment Semester 2 - Data Analysis Assignment 3  Completion of exercises using digital maps and GIS, including creation of maps and commentaries. 300 Words  25%
Supplementary Assessment Semester 2 - Data Analysis Assignment 2  Worksheet with exercises on textual analysis involving completion of tables and a short commentary. 300 Words  25%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.

Demonstrate analytical capacities, through generating a wide range of datasets.

Demonstrate a more nuanced grasp of what constitutes data within geography and environmental/earth sciences.

Integrate skills in data acquisition, analysis and interpretation to undertake effective research in geography and environmental/earth sciences.

Demonstrate an appreciation of mixed research methods.

Organise and synthesise research findings effectively in written reports.

Brief description

This module is designed to provide students with the fundamental skills and techniques required for the acquisition, analysis and presentation of data in geography, environmental science and environmental earth science.

Following an introduction to the ‘research process’, students complete a series of research projects which are intended to give students practical and applied experience of generating and analysing a wide range of both primary and secondary data sets. These projects are prescribed, giving students experience of data collection and analysis from a breadth of topics in geography and related disciplines.

The first project requires students to write a short literature review on the theme of ‘environmental change. Project 2 provides students with direct experience of independent field work whereby they must collect observation data and begin to use basic descriptive statistical analysis. The third project develops students mapping and quantification skills. The fourth and fifth projects will introduce students to more complex statistical methods and qualitative data analysis techniques, respectively. Finally, the sixth project introduces students to GIS and cartography.

Content

The module introduces students to the research process through a combination of lectures, practical classes and seminars. The structure of the module proceeds through the research process, starting with identifying research questions and reviewing literature and moving on to outline different types of data. Subsequent sections work through methods for the collection, analysis and presentation qualitative and quantitative data. These cover descriptive and inferential statistics, using online maps and satellite imagery, qualitative methods with an emphasis on textual analysis, and GIS. Practical classes take students through the application of specific techniques, which are assessed in linked assignments.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number The use of statistical analysis, including discriptive statistics, quantifying sampling error and introductory inferential statistics.
Communication By written assessments and geographical information.
Improving own Learning and Performance Independent reading, self-directed learning and independent project work.
Information Technology Compentency in using the internet for sources of information, word processing, data analysis and presentation in Excel and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Personal Development and Career planning Many of the skills developed through this module are transferable to non-academic contexts and students are made aware of their wider applicability.
Problem solving The ability to identify and locate appropriate geographic information sources. Statistical treatment and interpretation of geographic data.
Research skills Writing, thinking and the presentation of information.
Subject Specific Skills The context and process of geographical research, the aquisition, analysis and presentation of geographical data, key concepts in geography.
Team work Students will undertake projects in groups and group discussion will be a key feature of practicals and workshops.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4