Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 8 x 2 Hour Seminars |
| Seminar | 1 x 4 Hour Seminar |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Written portfolio Illustrated research portfolio evidencing practical exercises, including 2000 word reflective statement | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | Academic Report 2000-word Methods School Report | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | Research Proposal 2000-word Research Proposal | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | Oral Presentation | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written portfolio Illustrated research portfolio evidencing practical exercises, including 2000 word reflective statement | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Academic Report 2000-word Methods School Report | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Research proposal 2000-word Research Proposal | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Oral presentation in staff office 10-minute oral presentation of research proposal | 10% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Discuss the role of methodology as it mediates the abstract theories of ontology and epistemology on the one hand and the narrower, more practical concerns of methods and techniques, on the other.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between, and rationale for using, quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis.
3. Appropriately identify and utilize a range of sources of qualitative and quantitative data.
4. Appropriately select and apply a range of methods for the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
5. Show an appreciation of the ways in which methodological concerns in human geography can be related to ethical issues and public policy debates.
6 .Effectively plan a research project, including research design, data collection and data analysis, and time management.
7. Communicate a research proposal through written and oral presentations.
Brief description
The module develops competencies in the understanding and application of appropriate research epistemologies and methodologies within the field of human geography, with an emphasis upon their implementation. Throughout the module methodological issues are explicitly linked to forms of data collection, research design, and the changing practice of human geography. Students will acquire an understanding, through reading and critically engaging with both quantitative and qualitative sources of data, of the different methodological strategies required for addressing particular research problems in human geography.
Content
Students will engage with key themes in research design including how to define and formulate research problems and questions. As well as receiving direct training in core methodological techniques (extensive data collection and analysis, questionnaire research, interviews, participant observation, textual analysis, archive research, mobile methods and participatory/action research and the use of mixed methods) students will examine the rationale for using particular qualitative or quantitative research methods; the relationship between empirical research and theory generation and testing; and the processes of data collection, analysis and
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Students will be introduced to quantitative data sources and methods for quantitative data analysis, and will discuss issues concerned with the use and interpretation of statistical analysis. |
| Communication | Written communication skills developed through written assignments and oral communication skills through oral presentation. Approaches for communicating research to a range of audiences introduced and discussed, but not formally assessed. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be expected to undertake a significant amount of self-directed study and will reflect on their own capabilities, strengths and performance in designing a research project. |
| Information Technology | Students will be introduced to digital and IT data sources and to software packages for qualitative and quantitative data handling, analysis and presentation. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module is orientated towards developing skills and perspectives appropriate for a wide variety of careers. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving skills will be developed through the design of a dissertation proposal |
| Research skills | A wide range of research skills will be developed through the module, including skills of data collection and analysis, and research planning and management. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will be introduced to the specific application of research methods in Human Geography |
| Team work | Practicals will involve group discussion and exercises. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7