Clifford, N. & Valentine, G. (2010) Key Methods in Geography (2nd edition). Sage Publications.

Gomez, B. & Jones, J. P. (2010) Research Methods in Geography. Wiley-Blackwell

Kneale, P. (2011) Study Skills for Geography, Earth & Environmental Science Students. Hodder Education

Parsons, T & P Knight (2005) How to do your dissertation in geography and related disciplines 2nd edition.

(a) A practical programme consisting of 18 two hour workshop sessions (36 hours). The workshop sessions would normally include a context setting component, primary data collection and/or secondary data retrieval, data analysis and presentation. Attendance is compulsory.
(b) A tutorial programme consisting of 20 x 1 hour sessions (20 hours) which will run across both teaching blocks. Usually small exercises will be set in each session for completion and discussion in the following session. Attendance is compulsory.
(c) Six 1 hour lectures (6 hours) to introduce geographical research philosophies and approaches
(d) Independent learning to prepare for and follow up tutorial and workshop activities, complete directed learning activities made available through the supporting VLE, engage with the project planning support material, and to complete the project planning portfolio (238 hours).

(1) Practical Techniques Portfolio: The Practical Techniques element of the module will be assessed by a portfolio which should contain a set of completed workshop activities for each of the three workshop blocks. These will be marked for satisfactory completeness. This component must be passed in order to pass the module [Learning Outcome 1]

(2) Project Planning Portfolio: The Project Planning element of the module will be assessed by a portfolio of work consisting of a 2500 word essay assignment (45%) an individual presentation (15%) and a proposal for a research project (40%) [Learning Outcomes 2 - 6]

Formative Assessment: during the techniques and skills workshops opportunities will be provide for students for to receive formative feedback on the activities that they are required to complete. The regular tutorials during Teaching Block 2 are designed to provide students with formative feedback on their research and project planning ideas. This will include opportunities for students to receive feedback on essay plans and draft versions of the project plan pro forma. General skills such as career planning, revision and examination techniques will be delivered and formatively assessed via the tutorial sessions.

This module will enable the development of subject specific, research and project planning, study and transferable skills appropriate to the intermediate level of the BA and BSc single honours awards in Geography and the Environment. There are three strands to this module:

1. A practical workshop programme which provides training in different data collection and analysis techniques. All students taking the module will undertake training in questionnaire design and analysis and in the use of geospatial technologies such as Geographic Information Systems. Depending on their award students will either be provided with training in techniques appropriate for the investigation of the human / social environment such as qualitative methods and historical data analysis, or with training in soil / sediment / water quality analysis / slope surveying and general laboratory skills appropriate for the investigation of physical processes and environment.

2. A project planning programme consisting of a set of lectures which introduce geographical and environmental research philosophies and approaches and is supported by resources available through a Virtual Learning Environment which provide material on project design and planning, including: literature searching, relevance trees, bibliographic sources, research question formulation and research approaches, data types (qualitative / quantitative, primary / secondary), reliability, analysis and sampling design, logistical planning and safety issues.

3. A tutorial programme which provides discussion of geography and environment subject matter related to the student's award and option modules, research question formulation and research project design and enables development of intermediate level study / transferable / personal development and career planning skills e.g. essay / report writing, oral communication, time management, advanced library skills and literature searching, critical reading of articles etc.

University Library, Faculty of Sciences Learning Resource Centre, Internet & Email facilities, Sciences IT facilities, GIS Software, Physical Geography laboratory and specialist physical geography equipment, audiovisual recoding equipment, appropriate secondary data sets. Blackboard or equivalent VLE.