GEOG%201230

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GEOG 1230

• Analytical Skills in Geography

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Lecture Structure

• Introduction
• Course aim
• Course objectives
• Key skills
• Syllabus
• Timetable
• Assessment
• Contact details
• Next time

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Introduction

• Course convener
• Tim James
• Other Lecturers
• Pippa Chapman and Steve Carver (BSc)
• Paul Chatterton and Graham Clarke (BA)
• Course material available at http//www.geog.leed
  s.ac.uk/courses/level1/geog1230/

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Course Aim

• To introduce the student to the elements of
  research design through a series of lectures,
  worksheets, field work and practical classes.

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Course Objectives

• On completion of the course, each student should
  be able
• to execute and report on geographical research
  (i.e. research design, methodology, analysis and
  results and critical analysis)
• to understand the range of data sources, and
  techniques for its analysis

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Course Objectives

• to undertake basic research methods in either
  physical or human geography and
• to use Information Technology (IT) (i.e.
  statistical software, remote sensing and GIS)
  understand the range of data sources, and
  techniques for its analysis

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Transferable Skills

• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical/professional skills
• Key skills
• Great points for the all-important CV! Keep them
  in mind!

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Transferable Skills

• Knowledge and understanding
• The theory and application of quantitative,
  visualisation and other spatial techniques across
  a wide range of geographical contexts.

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Transferable Skills

• Cognitive skills
• Assessing the merits of contrasting theories and
  explanations
• Using empirical evidence to develop theories and
  explanations
• Analysing and problem solving
• Critical evaluation of the validity of empirical
  evidence
• Landscape interpretation

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Transferable Skills

• Practical/Professional Skills
• Plan, design, execute and report on geographical
  research (individually and in a team)
• Effective lab and field skills safety too
• Use a variety of tech and lab methods for the
  analysis and presentation of data
• Collect, interpret and synthesise different types
  of data (qualitative and quantitative.

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Transferable Skills

• Key Skills
• Apply numerical and computational skills to
  geographic information
• Use info technology effectively (i.e.
  spreadsheets, database and word processors,
  internet, email etc)
• Work as part of a team and recognise and respect
  the viewpoints of others
• Time management and work organisation

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Syllabus

• Course components
• Semester 1
• Introduction to geographical data and sampling
  (Weeks 1 to 5)
• Data collection (Weeks 7 to 11)
• Semester 2
• Statistical analysis (Weeks 14 to 17)
• Spatial analysis and presentation (GIS) (Weeks 18
  to 20, 30 to 31)
• Review (Week 32)

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Syllabus

• Breakdown of teaching
• 8 one hour lectures
• 9 two hour lectures (one hour review/one hour
  new material).
• Up to 10 hours field data collection
• 4 two hour lab practicals (BSc only)
• 8 two hour computer practicals

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Syllabus

• Division of your time
• 60 hours of contact time
• 140 hours of private study (40 on field report)
• Total hours 200 h.

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Timetable
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Timetable
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Assessment and Conduct

• Worksheets
• formative assessment. Complete to pass with feed
  back given in most cases in the following
  lecture.
• there are worksheets in weeks 6 11 (Semester 1)
  and in weeks 1 4, 6, and 8-10.

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Assessment and Conduct

• Worksheets
• format will be defined week by week
• will be assessed as pass/no serious attempt (NSA)
• students who receive NRA will be required to
  justify themselves.
• to be handed into the labelled box (marked GEOG
  1230) in basement by 1600 on due date.

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Assessment and Conduct

• Field report (100)
• The integrating report based around either the BA
  or the BSc project.
• Should not exceed 2000 words.
• Typed up in 12 point text with at least 1.5 line
  spacing.
• Diagrams, figures and tables are a bonus where
  required.

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Assessment and Conduct

• Field report (100)
• Staple in top left corner. Do not bind.
• Submitted to reception by 2pm on May 14th, 2004.
  Be sure to obtain a receipt.
• Note
• Attendance at the revision lectures is imperative
  for a good field report mark.

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Assessment and Conduct

• Important Notes
• You must compete all components of this course to
  receive credits for this module
• Group work all members of the group take
  responsibility.
• University rules apply to all submitted work with
  respect to late submission, plagiarism and
  self-plagiarism etc

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Assessment and Conduct

• Important Notes
• New university policy on lateness
• 5 per day NOT per working day
• University rules apply to all submitted work with
  respect to late submission, plagiarism and
  self-plagiarism etc

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Readings

• Core text
• Jones, A., Duck, R., Reed, R. and Weyers, J.,
  (2000). Practical skills in Environmental
  Science, Prentice Hall, Harlow 290pp. (available
  on 7 day loan, EBL)
• Geographical Data
• Walford, N., (2002). Geographical Data
  Characteristics and Sources, Wiley, Chichester
  274pp.
• Scientific Method
• Hay, I. (2000). Qualitative Research Methods in
  Human Geography. Oxford University Press,
  Oxford 222pp. (7 day loan, EBL)
• Limb, M. and Dwyer, C., (2001). Qualitative
  Methodologies for Geographers Issues and
  Debates, Arnold, London 303pp. (7 day loan, EBL)

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Readings

• Bradbury, I.K., Boyle, J., and Morse, A. (2002).
  Scientific Principles for Physical Geographers,
  Prentice Hall, Harlow 301pp.
• Haines-Young, R. and Petch, J. (1986). Physical
  Geography Its Nature and Methods, Harper Row
  London230pp. (7 and 3 day loan, EBL)
• Statistics
• Rowntree, D., (1991). Statistics Without Tears
  an Introduction for Non-Mathematicians, Penguin,
  London 195pp.
• Ebdon, D. (1985). Statistics in Geography,
  Blackwell, Oxford 232pp. (7 day loan, EBL)
• Matthews, J.A. (1981). Quantitative and
  Statistical Approaches in Geography a Practical
  Manual, Pergamon, Oxford 204pp.

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Contact Info

• Office
• G22 East Building (behind GLT)
• School of Geography
• 0113 343 6811
• t.james_at_geog.leeds.ac.uk
• (email anytime)
• Office hours
• Fridays 1300 1600 (Drop in)
• or email to set up an appt.

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Next Week

• Types and sources of geographical data
• Readings
• Have a look through Walford, N., (2002).
  Geographical Data Characteristics and Sources,
  Wiley, Chichester 274pp.