GEOG 1230

Analytical Skills in Geography

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

Lecture Structure

• 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.leeds.ac.uk/courses/level1/geog1230/

Introduction

Course Aim

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

• 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;

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;

Course Objectives

• Knowledge and understanding• Cognitive skills• Practical/professional skills• Key skills

Great points for the all-important CV! Keep them in mind!

Transferable Skills

• Knowledge and understanding• The theory and application of quantitative,

visualisation and other spatial techniques across a wide range of geographical contexts.

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

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.

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

Transferable Skills

• 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)

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

Syllabus

• Division of your time:• 60 hours of contact time• 140 hours of private study (40 on field report)

• Total hours: 200 h.

Syllabus

Timetable

Timetable

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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…

Assessment and Conduct

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)

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: London:230pp. (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.

Contact Info

• Office: G22 East Building (behind GLT)School of Geography0113 343 6811t.james@geog.leeds.ac.uk(email anytime)

• Office hours:Fridays 1300 – 1600 (Drop in)or email to set up an appt.

Next Week

• Types and sources of geographical data

• Readings• Have a look through: Walford, N., (2002). Geographical

Data: Characteristics and Sources, Wiley, Chichester: 274pp.