GG3211 Research Design and Methods for Physical Geography

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

10

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Thurs 2pm-4pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr K H Roucoux

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof Bill Austin

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module is an introduction to undertaking data collection and analysis in physical geography. Geographical research often involves finding out about the physical and biological environment around us. The module focuses on teaching to students to plan a research project, make accurate and meaningful measurements in the field, and use fundamental statistical tools to display and analyse the data. Teaching is delivered through a combination of fieldwork, IT practicals, laboratory work, and lectures/seminars. Assessment is by coursework, in the form of a scientific write-up of data collected during field and lab work.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS GG2014

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 lecture (x 8 weeks) 1 x 6 hour fieldclass, 1 hour practical (x 10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

24

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

80

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Understand how to design a simple physical geography research project around hypothesis testing
  • Able to use spreadsheet and statistical software effectively for a range of tasks
  • Able to use a selection of statistical and graphical tools to display and analyse data
  • Able to collect good-quality data in the field and in the laboratory.
  • Able to write up a research report in a standard format