Aims

This is an important module for students taking the BA (Hons) Geography programmes. The module introduces students to the range and diversity of research methods used in human geography and in the social sciences more broadly. Human geographers engage with social, cultural, economic and political life, and human geography as a discipline is rooted in empirically-informed, conceptually-focused research which enables those social, cultural, economic and political relations to be explored. The aim of this module is to provide students with a solid understanding of the diverse array of research methods and techniques that are used to collect data and conduct analysis and how these might work together in order to address research questions and prove or disprove hypotheses.

The module’s core aims are:

•       To introduce students to the diverse range of research methods used across human geography.
•       To explore both conceptual and practical issues in research methodology and the use of research techniques.
•       To draw connections between learning about tools and techniques for research on this module, and the production of research findings as explored through the range of modules offered across the Geography programme.
•       To make explicit connection between research methods in human geography and the development of graduate-level transferable skills.
•       To give students the confidence to proceed with original data collection and analysis for the dissertation at Stage 3
• To complement GEO2140 in providing both the foundational practical skills and methodological expertise to apply specific techniques appropriately and with confidence.

Outline Of Syllabus

The actual content of the methods to be delivered will vary from year to year dependent upon the expertise of available colleagues. However, core content around the purpose and implications of using different methods will remain, covering topics such as:      
•       Research epistemologies - inductive and deductive approaches, primary and secondary data, sampling
• Mixed Methods - the role and potential integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches
•       Research ethics - the implications and obligations of responsible social research
Indicative methods to be covered may include some of the following:
•       Statistical analysis of secondary data
•       GIS
•       Interviews & focus groups
•       Ethnographies - participant observation
• Survey design
•       Discourse and visual analysis

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

•Lectures provide the framework for learning on this module. There are two types of lecture:
- Capstone lectures introduce and conclude the module and cover module-level themes and concerns;
- Individual method-specific lectures give a detailed conceptual and practical insight into the application of specific methods alongside the implications, opportunities and challenges that arise from these.
All key ideas, concepts, techniques and practices are introduced in the lectures. Lectures are used to direct independent study through directed research and reading.
•Small group teaching sessions provide students with the opportunity to practice the application of different techniques of data collection and analysis in appropriate settings. Workshops allow students to develop their skills in qualitative methods while computer-based practicals provide the opportunity for students to develop their quantitative competency in a graduated and individually-supported fashion.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

•       The portfolio on Qualitative Methods provides students with the opportunity to explore two (from a selection of) different research methods, asking them to consider the specificity of that method, the practicalities of conducting research using that method (for which they draw on exercises conducted during small group teaching) and on their understanding of specific aspects of that method.

•       The Portfolio on Quantitative Methods asks students to write on a continuous project built up over the course of the sessions on a quantitative approach, using methods and techniques introduced in lectures. This assessment is designed to test students on their understanding of the concepts and techniques of quantitative approach introduced in this module and applying these techniques critically to real-world datasets. The report requires students to engage with relevant literatures, drawing both on textbooks and research articles, and asks students to construct an argument through hypotheses testing and synthesising ideas from different sources.

•       The Qualitative Portfolio is 1600 words, matching the Quantitative Portfolio is 1600 words. This reflects the equal emphasis and value placed on qualitative and quantitative methods in the module. Both assessments require the production of outputs which allow for the student's grasp and ability to apply a given methodology to be appropriately demonstrated.