THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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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
Not being delivered
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: (01316) 51 40 16
Email: Tom.Clemens@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Carry Arnold
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: Carry.Arnold@ed.ac.uk
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