Research Design in Geography (P01517)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : GEO-P-GGFG1A

This course provides students with training in research design, necessary for undertaking independent research at postgraduate level in the fields of both human and physical geography, and other related spatial and environmental sciences. The skills are relevant to the proper management, execution and dissemination of advanced research. The course delivers training in a range of generic transferable skills, linking them to relevant research issues, and also teaches how to design research projects and the significance of considering a range of issues (practical, ethical and intellectual) relevant to successful research planning. Specific emphasis is given to the relationship between theory and empirical practice in research. Themes include: ontological questions relating to the human, spatial and environmental sciences; the role of fieldwork in geographical research; the ethics of research; and the relevance of data management and data analysis.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Course available only to postgraduate students

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences), (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
23/09/2005	09:00	11:00	Room 2.19, Old Infirmary (Geography)	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Friday	09:00	10:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : Wednesday 11-1 for Transkills sessions

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

- acquisition of generic skills relevant to the management of advanced level independent and team-0based research in human and physical geography, and related spatial and environmental sciences.
- knowledge of the relationship between planned strategies of skill development and successful research outcomes.
- knowledge of the role of time management in large-scale, long duration research projects.
- acquisition of writing and publishing skills, necessary for the dissemination of research findings.
- acquisition of presentation skills (oral and multi-media) necessary for presentation of research findings.
- acquisition of research design and research planning skills.
- knowledge of the role of ethics in research.
- knowledge of the importance of fieldwork and the intellectual and practical issues it raises for research.