Ymchwilio'r Byd: Casglu a Dadansoddi Data

Module Identifier: DA10320
Module Title: Ymchwilio'r Byd: Casglu a Dadansoddi Data
Academic Year: 2027/2028
Semester: Semester 2 Taught over 2 semesters
Co-ordinator: Professor Rhys Jones
Reading List: View on Aspire
Exclusive (Any Acad Year): GS13020
Other Staff: Dr Hywel Griffiths; Dr Tristram Irvine-Fynn

Assessment

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

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.

Aims

The aim of the module is to teach year 1 students introductory methods to collect, analyse and present geographic data.

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