GEOG41515: USING GEOGRAPHICAL SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES

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• The module will provide applied training in the use of geographic skills and techniques with the aim of developing a range of transferable methods relevant to professional and personal development. The emphasis will be on (a) enhancing students existing quantitative and qualitative research skills (b) exploring issues involved in the design and conduct of working with geographic information; and (c) providing hands-on experience working with a variety of data sources and methods in a human-geography context.

• Principles of good research design and practice, including the formulation of researchable questions and implementation of appropriate and complementary research methods
• Reflection on the role of the researcher in the context of different methods and approaches to knowledge production
• The ethics and politics of doing Human Geographical research in the context of contemporary debates about research and its uses
• Introduction to a selection of research methods specific to Human Geography such as interviews, surveys, ethnography, participatory mapping that will enhance research skills while exploring the applicability of these techniques to emerging social science issues.
• Development and implementation of methods related to Human Geography research that includes the collection of primary and/or secondary data, managing and making sense of data, analysing, synthesizing results, and communicating prelimary research findings in a portfolio.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• At the end of this module, students will be able to:
• Discuss key areas of debate around the production and use of different forms of geographic data, including around the effective co-production of knowledge
• Evaluate and implement an array of methods and techniques in Human Geography research
• Assess the range of issues including the ethics and politics involved in the conduct and use of good geographical research

Subject-specific Skills:

• At the end of this module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate practical method skills, which may include interviews, surveys, ethnography, participatory research, thematic mapping, spatial analysis, visual storytelling, and/or collaborative mapping
• Dvelop and implement appropriate methods and techniques needed for the design and planning of the research process

Key Skills:

• At the end of this module students will be able to:
• Collect and analyse primary and secondary data using Human Geographical methods
• Evaluate and reflect upon the ethics and politics within Human Geographical research methods, their implementation, and role in knowledge production
• Develop and implement appropriate methods related to Human Geography research specific to student interests
• Synthesize and communicate research findings in a portfolio that may include text, maps, graphics, images, multi-media, etc. along with an essay reflection

• Lectures provide background information and theoretical framing for Human Geographical research methods introduced in the recommended reading.
• Practicals provide hands-on methods experience collecting and analysing primary and secondary data related to a geographic question or problem. Practicals will be guided by a small lecture, demonstration, activity, and/or set of instructions provided by the teaching staff. Tutorials provide methods and summative portfolio support from teaching staff in Term 2.

Students will receive formative feedback from both staff and peers throughout the module during lecture, practicals, tutorials, and/or individually.

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