Education

• Archaeology and Palaeoecology (UG)
• Geography (UG)
• Disability Officer

Contents

Research is a core aspect of Geography and an important part of a geographer’s work. It can encompass a wide range of contexts, whether in physical or human environments, rural or urban. This module provides students with experience of geographical research and particularly collecting, analysing, interpreting and presenting field and research data. The module starts by addressing broadly the relationship between fieldwork and research in geography, as well as introducing the dissertation as independent research in practice. Following this, all students choose a topic from ONE of two projects in EITHER Physical OR Human Geography. This ‘Class Project’ runs through the module for 5 weeks, and takes students through a series of related exercises to experience and develop independent research. The projects emphasise practical techniques in geography, and aim at developing student research skills to help towards undertaking Level 3 Dissertations. The final part of the module therefore returns to the task of setting up a dissertation project and meeting with an appropriate supervisor.

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing the module you will:

1.  develop your observational and identification skills as a geographer;
2.  develop analytical skills necessary to undertake independent geographical research;
3.  experience ‘real’ research in a field and laboratory setting and recognize its strengths and limitations;
4.  experience and practice geographical data and evidence gathering / interpretation;
5.  evaluate physical and/or human geography concepts and methods for a particular topic and/or locality.

Lecturers

Dr. Keith Lilley (Convenor)
Dr. Carl Griffin
Prof Stephen Royle
Dr Ian Shuttleworth

Skills

Successful completion of the module will result in acquisition and/or enhancement of the following skills:

Key skills

• The ability to think and argue critically and undertake problem solving.
• The ability to undertake self-directed learning.
• The ability to perform assigned tasks within a group setting and take part in group discussions and oral presentations.
• Development of reflective skills with regard to module-related tasks and personal research experience;

Subject-related skills

• The ability to communicate geographical ideas by written, oral and visual means.
• The ability to apply specialised techniques or approaches to the collection and analysis of geographical information.
• Interpretation through application of observational and laboratory skills;

Employability skills

• Group work, leadership and time-related skills.
• Specific skills, such as project planning and oral skills.
• Report writing and presentation skills

Pre-requisites

Normally GGY1001, GGY1005, GGY1006 and GAP1007

Co-Requisites

Must be enrolled on a Single Honours Geography Pathway or Geography with Extended Studies in Europe Pathway.

Compulsory Element

To pass the module students must obtain an overall mark of 40 per cent and submitted a Dissertation Proposal.

Assessment