GEOG1222: INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH (BA)

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• To introduce students to a variety of methods for research and analysis in human geography
• To enable students to select appropriate methods for different research contexts
• To enable students to select appropriate methods for the study of diverse geographical issues
• To develop students geographical skills in bibliographic, textual, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis

• This module is designed to give students a broad introduction to research in Geography in Term 1. Lectures will focus on the philosophical and practical issues involved in different research approaches for a range of geographical environments. Students will learn how to approach a topic and formulate research questions and will be offered a broad introduction to qualitative and quantitative research. In the practicals, students will practice this knowledge as applied to particular research techniques
• In Term 2, the module focuses more specifically on a range of current methods in human geography, offering students more in-depth conceptual and practical learning. The module offers a grounding in human geography research that will prepare them for more advanced methodological training and empirical practice later in the degree programme
• Lecture themes (Term 1): Research design (including decolonising methodology and ethics), questionnaires, quantitative techniques and data analysis, including GIS, and qualitative techniques and data analysis, focusing on interviews.
• Practicals (Term 1): quantitative techniques and data analysis, including GIS, and qualitative techniques and data analysis, focusing on interviews.
• Lecture themes (Term 2): Fieldwork in Geography, participant observation/ethnography, and textual analysis.
• Practicals (Term 2): Research planning, design and analysis, participant observation/ethnography, textual anaylsis.
• This module builds to Term 2 fieldwork in Newcastle, where students undertake short research projects to gain experience in planning, design, undertaking, analysing and writing up research.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
• Understand the linkages between research design, information collection, analysis, display and interpretation
• Demonstrate understanding of basic statistical terminology
• Demonstrate understanding of appropriate qualitative and quantitative approaches
• Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods to undertake research and analysis in human geography
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and conceptual underpinnings of research

Subject-specific Skills:

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to
• Formulate basic research questions and proposals in human geography contexts
• Design simple research projects using a diversity of approaches and techniques
• Demonstrate ability with appropriate software packages to undertake geographical analysis and research
• Use a range of methods to undertake geographical analysis and research
• Demonstrate basic competence with methods of observation and analysis used in human geography
• Apply basic statistics to geographical data
• Use key software programmes with a basic level of competence
• Evaluate and reflect upon the ethical and conceptual underpinnings of a research project

Key Skills:

• Basic competence in the use of range of software packages
• Analytical skills
• Designing questionnaires
• Ability to describe, analyse, interpret and synthesise data
• Ability to work effectively within a group

• Lectures will provide an introduction and theoretical background to underpin the practical work.
• Sessions will be supported by reading lists, which will enable the student to build on information provided in the lectures.
• Since learning outcomes are focused on skills and methods, practicals will play an important role in the module by providing active learning environments where the students are encouraged to engage with the subject matter
• Small group practicals will provide an opportunity for students to engage in and document peer learning. Students will receive asynchronous feedback on small group tasks completed during the practicals.
• Fieldwork in Newcastle enables students to practise specific research techniques, as well as designing and undertaking a research project.

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