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.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is only available to 1st year students on the Geography Degree Programme. |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 129 |
| 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 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
40 %,
Coursework
60 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Research Project (60%)
24-Hour Take-Home Exam (40%)
Students are required to pass all summative assessments independently (40% or above) in order to pass the course. |
| 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.
|
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 |
This course is only available to 1st year students on the Geography Degree Programme. |
| Keywords | Statistics,GIS,Fieldwork,Qualitative Methodologies |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Andrew Hein
Tel: (0131 6)50 9140
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Leigh Corstorphine
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: |
|
|
University Homepage