Unit information: Progress Unit in 2011/12

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Unit name Progress Unit
Unit code GEOG19000
Credit points 0
Level of study C/4
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

Progress Unit - taken by first year students to record progress at the end of teaching block 1

Aim:

To provide students with the skills to design, conduct and report their own research in the fields of environmental and social science.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this Unit students should be able to design and conduct research projects in environmental science and social geography. They should also be able to communicate their methods, results and conclusions effectively through a variety of mediums e.g. written reports, essays, grant proposals etc. They will also be able to a carry out research using key methods (e.g. numerical modelling, laboratory analysis, qualitative methods etc)

The following transferable skills are developed in this Unit:

  • Written and verbal communication
  • Team working and collaboration
  • Numeracy
  • Graphical representation of data
  • Problem solving
  • Lateral and strategic thinking
  • Analytical and computational skills
  • Planning and implementing research projects
  • Project management

Teaching Information

Lectures, Practicals, Seminars. Discussion Boards and wikis are used extensively

Assessment Information

Peer Review (20%) – design research projects, communication of methods through grant proposal

Numerical Modelling (20%) – key method

Textural or comparative analysis (15%) - key methods

Ethnography or interviews (15%) - key methods

Critical Data Analysis (30%) – laboratory analysis, dissertation-style report, group work

Reading and References

  1. Oppenheim, A.N. (2001), Questionnaire Design, interviewing and attitude measurement, Continuum, New London
  2. Clifford, N and Valentine G (2003) Key methods in geography (Sage: London)
  3. King, D., R.O. Keohane, S. Verba (1994) Designing social inquiry, (New Jersey: Princeton University Press).
  4. Eyles, J. & Smith, D.M. (eds) (1988) Qualitative Methods in Human Geography, (Cambridge: Policy Press)
  5. Flowerdew, R. and Martin, D. (eds) (1997) Methods in Human Geography: A guide for students doing a research project (London: Longman)

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