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GG3574: RESEARCH DESIGN (2014-2015)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

This core course builds on GG2508 to provide an introduction to the conduct of research in the Geosciences at an advanced level.  It is intended to familiarise students with the skills necessary to design, implement and write up effective research.  These skills will support work on undergraduate dissertations and other project work.  The course also introduces careers research skills, and explores how you can best make use of your degree in the 'real world' after graduation: workshops run in partnership with the University's Career Service provide practical advice and training on how best to develop your career.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Nicholas Spedding

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

None.

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

  • The nature of the research process.
  • Considering 'what makes a good piece of research' and 'how does a particular approach to your subject influence the type of research undertaken'.
  • Aims and learning outcomes of the undergraduate dissertation. Selecting research topics and developing research questions.
  • Literature searches and how to write a literature review.
  • Sources of quantitative and qualitative secondary data.
  • Data collection methods applicable to a wide range of geographical research questions.
  • Strategies for interpreting qualitative data.
  • Research ethics.
  • Health and safety for researchers.
  • Writing up research, how to present your dissertation and make the most of your research efforts.
The course also introduces careers research skills, and explores how you can best make use of your degree in the 'real world' after graduation: workshops run in partnership with the University's Career Service provide practical advice and training on how best to develop your career.

Further Information & Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3573.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 100% coursework. Students choose two assignments (each worth 50%) from : (i) research contexts essay; (ii) preliminary literature review / research planning exercise (this being compulsory for students intending to complete their dissertation in G&E; (iii) short report: data analysis and interpretation case study; iv) portfolio of careers-reated coursework. Resit: Resubmission of failed project work, with mark for those components to be capped at CAS 9.

Formative Assessment

Feedback on summative assessments should help students to improve their subsequent performances within the course and for subsequent courses. For dissertation students, the course incorporates the initial stages of supervision. Although summatively assessed for the purposes of this course, the preliminary literature review acts as a key component of formative assessment for the final dissertation.

Feedback

Students receive individual, written feedback on their coursework using standard comments sheets. Dissertation students are also expected to liaise with their supervisor, to include two formal meetings.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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