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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2020/2021

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Geography

Undergraduate Course: Fundamental Methods in Geography (GEGR08009)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
Summary****PLEASE NOTE THIS COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS ON THE GEOGRAPHY DEGREE PROGRAMMES ONLY - NOT APPLICABLE TO OUTSIDE DEGREE STREAMS (NON-GEOGRAPHY DEGREES)****

The overall aim of the course is to provide an introduction to fundamental methods of geographical research.
Course description The course will provide an introduction to qualitative methodologies in Geography, statistical techniques and the purpose and scope of both qualitative and quantitative methods within geographical research. We will consider relevant examples from across the full range of the discipline. We will examine methods for data collection, data description, analysis and tests of association and difference. This will provide insights into the characteristics of the techniques and their overall value and utility within research.

The goal to enhance the student learning experience within the Geography programme by developing underpinning methodological training at an early stage of the curriculum.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed:
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  160
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 12, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 4, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 8, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Revision Session Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 166 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 40 %, Coursework 60 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Exam: 40%, Course Work: 60 %,
BOTH parts MUST be passed to pass the course as a whole.

60% of the degree assessment is on a research project of 1,500 words presented at the end of the teaching period (Thursday, week 11). You have to identify one research question of your own choice developed from a list of topics provided. You must:
1. Clearly state the research question (one that must be able to be tackled using at least one of the methods considered in the course).
2. Explain why the research question is important.
3. Present an apt methodology: Explain what methods from the course you will use and why.
4. Gather data from secondary or primary sources
5. Apply your chosen methods
6. Analyse the data
7. Discuss the findings with reference to the wider academic literature
8. Present considered conclusions

Coursework assessment deadline: Week 11
Feedback Written feedback will be given on all submitted work, verbal feedback will be provided in tutorials.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)9:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)9:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. To develop a broad and integrated understanding of geographical methods, their principles and appropriate application
  2. To have a critical awareness of the values, limitations and interpretation of qualitative and statistical techniques for both descriptive and inferential purposes.
  3. To gain practical experience and awareness of some principal methods and specialised techniques of data collection and analysis used in Geography
  4. To provide a basic knowledge of the skills needed to carry out analysis using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and basic computer-based statistical analysis, and to understand particular issues associated with the analysis of quantitative data.
  5. To synthesize and critically evaluate the ideas and issues identified during the course through project work.
Reading List
Clifford, N. and Valentine, G. (2010), Key Methods in Geography, London: Sage.
Madsen, B. (2011) Statistics for non-statisticians. Springer.
DeLyser, D., Herbert, S., Aitken, S. C., Crang, M., & McDowell, L. (2010). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Geography. Sage Publications Limited.
Ebdon D (1985) Statistics in Geography, (2nd edn). Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
Robinson G M (1998) Methods & Techniques in Human Geography. Chichester: John Wiley.
Rogerson P (2001) Statistical Methods for Geographers. London: Sage
Shaw G and Wheeler D (1985, 1994, 2005) Statistical techniques in geographical analysis. Chichester: John Wiley.
Wheelan, C.(2014) Naked Statistics. W. W. Norton & Company.
Wheater C P and Cook P A (2000) Using statistics to understand the environment. Oxford: Routledge.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Students will be able to demonstrate a critical awareness of the values, limitations and interpretation of qualitative methods. Students will also show the ability to use statistical methods for both descriptive and inferential purposes, and demonstrate an awareness of GIS.
Finally, students will gain team and group working skills, and experience of problem solving.
Special Arrangements None
KeywordsStatistics,qualitative methodologies,GIS,fieldwork
Contacts
Course organiserDr Andrew Hein
Tel: (0131 6)50 9140
Email: Andy.Hein@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Carry Arnold
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: Carry.Arnold@ed.ac.uk
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