Module Information
Module Identifier
GS13000
Module Title
Researching the World: data collection and analysis
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Semester 1 - Google Earth mapping Google Earth mapping project 300 Words | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester 1 - Literature Review Literature Review on the theme of 'Environmental Change'. 1500 Words | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester 2 - Qualitative techniques Qualitative data analysis techniques report 300 Words | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester 1 - Data Analysis report Data analysis report largely comprising table and graph outputs. 300 Words | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester 2 - GIS project GIS report 300 Words | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester 2 - Data Analysis report Data analysis report covering inferential statistics 300 Words | 15% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Semester 1 - Literature Review Literature Review on the theme of 'Environmental Change'. 1500 Words | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Semester 1 - Data Analysis report Data analysis report largely comprising table and graph outputs. 300 Words | 15% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Semester 2 - Qualitative techniques Qualitative data analysis techniques report 300 Words | 15% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Semester 2 - Data Analysis report Data analysis report covering inferential statistics 300 Words | 15% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Semester 1 - Google Earth mapping Google Earth mapping project 300 Words | 15% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Semester 2 - GIS project GIS report 300 Words | 15% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.
Demonstrate analytical capacities, through generating a wide range of datasets.
Demonstrate a more nuanced grasp of what constitutes data within geography and environmental/earth sciences.
Integrate skills in data acquisition, analysis and interpretation to undertake effective research in geography and environmental/earth sciences.
Demonstrate an appreciation of mixed research methods.
Organise and synthesise research findings effectively in written reports.
Brief description
This module is designed to provide students with the fundamental skills and techniques required for the acquisition, analysis and presentation of data in geography and related disciplines.
Following an introduction to the ‘research process’, students complete a series of research projects which are intended to give students practical and applied experience of generating and analysing a wide range of both primary and secondary data sets. These projects are prescribed, giving students experience of data collection and analysis from a breadth of topics in geography and related disciplines.
The first project requires students to write a short literature review on the theme of ‘environmental change. Project 2 provides students with direct experience of independent field work whereby they must collect observation data and begin to use basic descriptive statistical analysis. The third project develops students mapping and quantification skills. The fourth and fifth projects will introduce students to more complex statistical methods and qualitative data analysis techniques, respectively. Finally, the sixth project introduces students to GIS and cartography.
Following an introduction to the ‘research process’, students complete a series of research projects which are intended to give students practical and applied experience of generating and analysing a wide range of both primary and secondary data sets. These projects are prescribed, giving students experience of data collection and analysis from a breadth of topics in geography and related disciplines.
The first project requires students to write a short literature review on the theme of ‘environmental change. Project 2 provides students with direct experience of independent field work whereby they must collect observation data and begin to use basic descriptive statistical analysis. The third project develops students mapping and quantification skills. The fourth and fifth projects will introduce students to more complex statistical methods and qualitative data analysis techniques, respectively. Finally, the sixth project introduces students to GIS and cartography.
Content
The module is organised around a portfolio of six small research projects, each designed to progressively advance students' research skills. The module is primarily delivered via a series of lectures and linked practicals.
Project 1: Literature Review on the broad theme of environmental change, but with specific focus on a topic of relevance to each student’s own degree scheme.
Project 2: Field data collection and data analysis through the application of descriptive statistics. This will develop students’ graph-making abilities and their capacity to produce clear and effective visualisation of data.
Project 3: Methods for mapping our world: an introduction to mapping, data visualisation and quantification of spatial change.
Project 4: Advanced data analysis through the application of inferential statistical tests.
Project 5: Qualitative data techniques.
Project 6: Introduction to GIS: basic cartography and creation of an accessible map of spatial data.
Project 1: Literature Review on the broad theme of environmental change, but with specific focus on a topic of relevance to each student’s own degree scheme.
Project 2: Field data collection and data analysis through the application of descriptive statistics. This will develop students’ graph-making abilities and their capacity to produce clear and effective visualisation of data.
Project 3: Methods for mapping our world: an introduction to mapping, data visualisation and quantification of spatial change.
Project 4: Advanced data analysis through the application of inferential statistical tests.
Project 5: Qualitative data techniques.
Project 6: Introduction to GIS: basic cartography and creation of an accessible map of spatial data.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | The use of statistical analysis, including discriptive statistics, quantifying sampling error and introductory inferential statistics. |
| Communication | By written assessments and geographical information. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Independent reading, self-directed learning and independent project work. |
| Information Technology | Compentency in using the internet for sources of information, word processing, data analysis and presentation in Excel and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Many of the skills developed through this module are transferable to non-academic contexts and students are made aware of their wider applicability. |
| Problem solving | The ability to identify and locate appropriate geographic information sources. Statistical treatment and interpretation of geographic data. |
| Research skills | Writing, thinking and the presentation of information. |
| Subject Specific Skills | The context and process of geographical research, the aquisition, analysis and presentation of geographical data, key concepts in geography. |
| Team work | Students will undertake projects in groups and group discussion will be a key feature of practicals and workshops. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4