Undergraduate Course: Fundamental Methods in Geography (GEGR08009)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | 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.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is open to 1st and 2nd year students only. This course is open to all university students, but priority will be given to students on the Geography Degree Programmes. Students from other programmes may be able to join if there is space. Please contact geoset.ug.drummond@ed.ac.uk to check availability. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 141 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 34,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
162 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
40 %,
Coursework
60 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Research Project (60%):
- AI-Assisted Generation: AI tools may be used to identify ideas, key themes, and plan your assessment, but not to generate content. If you use AI, you must acknowledge it in your submission.
- Coursework Extensions: Extensions are permitted for this assessment. Please review the guidance on the Registry Services website and apply via MyEd.
- Extra Time Learning Adjustments: Students with Extra Time Learning Adjustments may request additional time for this assessment. Applications should be made using the Extra Time Learning Adjustment (ETA) tool, available via the Disability Support page in MyEd.
24-Hour Take-Home Exam (40%):
- AI-Assisted Generation: AI tools may be used to identify ideas, key themes, and plan your assessment, but not to generate content. If you use AI, you must acknowledge it in your submission.
- Coursework Extensions: Extensions are not permitted for examinations.
- Extra Time Learning Adjustments: Extra Time Learning Adjustments are not permitted for this examination. The exam is designed to take approximately 2-3 hours to complete, and extra time accommodations have already been incorporated.
Course Pass Requirements:
In order to pass this course, students must meet all of the following requirements:
- Achieve a minimum mark of 40% on the 'Research Project' assessment.
- Achieve a minimum mark of 40% on the '24-Hour Take-Home Exam' assessment.
- Achieve an overall course grade of 40% (or higher). |
| Feedback |
Written feedback will be given on all submitted work, verbal feedback will be provided in tutorials. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- To develop a broad and integrated understanding of geographical methods, their principles and appropriate application.
- To have a critical awareness of the values, limitations and interpretation of qualitative and statistical techniques for both descriptive and inferential purposes.
- To gain practical experience and awareness of some principal methods and specialised techniques of data collection and analysis used in Geography.
- 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.
- To synthesize and critically evaluate the ideas and issues identified during the course through project work.
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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.
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| Special Arrangements |
This course is open to 1st and 2nd year students only. This course is open to all university students, but priority will be given to students on the Geography Degree Programmes. Students from other programmes may be able to join if there is space. Please contact geoset.ug.drummond@ed.ac.uk to check availability. |
| Keywords | Statistics,GIS,Fieldwork,Qualitative Methodologies |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Andrew Hein
Tel: (0131 6)50 9140
Email: Andy.Hein@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Leigh Corstorphine
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: lcorstor@ed.ac.uk |
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