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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Geography

Undergraduate Course: Research Design in Geography (GEGR09011)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course introduces students to diverse skills required for undertaking independent research and writing. Particular emphasis is given to providing materials and information that will prepare students for the Geography Dissertation. A variety of skills are introduced including: Research question formulation; Choice of appropriate methodologies; Critical reviewing of literature; Planning, analysis and write-up of work; Use of Computer-based and IT skills to enable efficient working.
Course description Research Design in Geography is focussed on preparing you to undertake the research and writing of your dissertation. The output of the course is a Research Proposal that will lay out what you intend to research, why and how. The course will introduce students to the multiple approaches to designing a research project, including advice on how to choose methods, literature and theory, as well as general information on health and safety, ethics, and so on.

The course diverges after the second week, and in weeks three, four and five is split into two streams (Human Geography and Physical Geography). Students will be asked to choose a stream.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites Students MUST also take: Geography Dissertation (GEGR10053)
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Block 3 (Sem 2)
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 12, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 2, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 2, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 80 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Written Exam: 0%, Course Work: 100 %, Practical Exam: 0%.
Students will submit a research proposal not exceeding 2,500 words.
Feedback Students will be able to discuss their research ideas during the course with staff.
Students will receive feedback on their research proposals from their dissertation advisors.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. have a better grasp of the basics of research design, and the purpose of doing a dissertation
  2. understand how to formulate a feasible and interesting research question
  3. feel more confident choosing the appropriate methodological approach to answer their research question
  4. have an idea how methods choices can be informed by ongoing theoretical and political debates, and not simply as a resort to what seems easiest or most obvious
  5. have a better understanding of the function of a literature review, and how research can respond to and integrate a theoretical framework
Reading List
Reading material will be provided throughout the course.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsGEGR09011
Contacts
Course organiserDr Thomas Clemens
Tel:
Email: Tom.Clemens@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Kirsty Allan
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: Kirsty.Allan@ed.ac.uk
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