Module Information
Course Delivery
Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
---|---|
Lecture | 11 x 2 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
---|---|---|
Semester Assessment | Written research portfolio 2500 word research portfolio | 100% |
Supplementary Assessment | Written research portfolio 2500 word research portfolio |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Outline the differing approaches to human geography and associated social science research and identify the relevant types of methods associated with these approaches;
2. Formulate workable research questions, aims and objectives;
3. Select appropriate methods that are justified and relevant in relation to research questions, aims and objectives;
4. Evaluate the advantages and limitations of a range of qualitative techniques in particular research settings;
5. Critically assess the pragmatics of applying particular techniques in practice.
Brief description
This module covers the qualitative methods essential to researching people and place. The module is framed around a series of lectures with in-built workshops to develop understanding of key techniques and build practical knowledge of using methods in the field.
Content
The course involves 9 x 2 hour lectures covering a variety of approaches: introduction to research frameworks, interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, ethnography, textual research, use of archives, videographic techniques, and new ‘creative’ methods. Lecture slots will be divided between 1 hour of conventional lecturing and 1 hour of practical working to develop practical skills related to each method introduced in the lectures. There will be a 1 x 2-hour assessment surgery session at the end of the module.
Module Skills
Skills Type | Skills details |
---|---|
Application of Number | n/a |
Communication | Students will use written and graphic modes to analyses and present data |
Improving own Learning and Performance | Gained via independent reading and through engagement with the reflexive component of the assessment |
Information Technology | Students will demonstrate their competency with using Blackboard and the e-resources available in that information environment |
Personal Development and Career planning | The skills developed through this module can provide the foundation for higher-level studies and also are transferable to many applied, non-academic contexts. Students will be made aware of the relevance for further study and employability throughout the module, including as part of the assessment |
Problem solving | Demonstrated via choosing of relevant conceptual frameworks and associated techniques for particular research contexts |
Research skills | Reading, thinking and writing skills will be demonstrated through in-class discussions and the assessment |
Subject Specific Skills | The acquisition, analysis and presentation of geographic data |
Team work | Team work and discussion will be involved in some lectures and the practicals |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5