| Unit name | Quantitative Research Methods for Physical Geography |
|---|---|
| Unit code | GEOG20031 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Becky Collins |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None. |
| School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
In a society that is constantly collecting more and more environmental and spatial data about our planet, it is increasingly important for scientists to have the skills needed to organise, explore, manipulate and analyse these large datasets. Mapping and spatial analysis skills are highly sought after in the employment market, giving our students a competitive edge when searching for career options after their degree.
The unit teaches the use of methods of analysis common in geographical study, including regression and elements of Geographical Information Science. A key aim of the unit is to provide quantitative teaching suitable for dissertation work, developing skills in computer programming, geographical data handling, mapping, statistical modelling, and in the presentation and interpretation of quantitative data.
How does the unit fit into the programme of study?
This unit is mandatory for all students taking Research Methods in Physical Geography and will build on the field and lab skills taught in that unit by demonstrating how to analyse and work with data collected from field and/or lab studies, as well as introducing secondary data sources for students to explore. These skills will be extremely useful when completing dissertation work in 3rd year, allowing students to analyse their own field/lab data or secondary data sources using the appropriate methods.
An overview of content
This unit will focus on developing your understanding of the theory of statistics and of spatial relationships between and within data. Lectures will provide you with the knowledge required to understand statistical theory, while practical sessions will put that theory into practice on real world data.
You will cover mapping and GIS, exploring data and building testable hypotheses, preparing data, choosing analysis techniques, linear regression, regression diagnostics, spatial dependency and how to work with NetCDF data.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By the end of this unit you will be familiar with the assumptions and requirements of statistics for analysing geographical data and will know how to approach data analysis in a way that accounts for data complexity. You will have a developed sense of confidence in how to apply statistical methods to different types of data and will be ideally placed to construct robust and meaningful data analysis strategies for your dissertations and beyond.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
You will learn through a combination of lectures, practical sessions and office hours.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative assessment will be carried out throughout this unit via engagement with practical sessions.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Online Exam (40%) [ILOs 1-4]
Scientific Report (60%) [ILOs 1-4]
When assessment does not go to plan
If a student should fail their assessment, they will be given an opportunity to sit a capped resit. The scheduling of resits will we be in accordance with the preference of the School’s Examination Board.
Aspects of the re-assessment exam will feature different examination questions to those used in the original examination. Differences will mostly relate to wording and the formatting of questions, although new questions may be introduced, but not in such a way that the examinee will be tested on new methods.
The resubmission of the scientific report will be in accordance with the original assignment brief, where the examinee will need to prove competence in taught methods before being allowed to pass.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. GEOG20031).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
