(a) A 2250-2500 word extended essay (40%) [1, 2, 3, 5, 6],

(b) Project plan pro forma (40%) [1, 4].

(c) A tutorial folder including (i) a 20 minute presentation of the project's academic context, location setting and research aims and (ii) a series of personal development planning exercises, the completeness of which will be used to moderate the presentation (20%) [3, 4, 5, 7],

Additional Assessment Details:
Formative Assessment: the weekly tutorial and supervisory sessions will provide regular opportunities for students to receive formative feedback on the activities that they are required to complete and on their research 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 supervisory sessions.

Flowerdew, R & D Martin (2005) Methods in human geography: a guide for students doing a research project 2nd edition.
Parsons, T & P Knight (2005) How to do your dissertation in geography and related disciplines 2nd edition.
Watts, S & L Halliwell (1996) Essential environmental science: methods & techniques.

The module will be delivered by a combination of:
(a) Six 1 hour lectures will introduce relevant research philosophies and approaches

(b) resource based learning providing material on generic project design and planning with links to further information sources including CAL software and secondary data sources,

(c) The tutorial programme will consist of 10 x 1 hour sessions which will run throughout teaching block 1. Usually small exercises will be set each session for completion and discussion in the following session. Attendance is compulsory.

(d) 10 weekly 1 hour supervisory sessions in teaching block 2 mainly in the form of group tutorials consisting of a supervisor and his / her students. The tutorial discussion will be based around specific tasks, e.g. constructing relevance trees, critically evaluating past dissertations, research question formulation, finding appropriate data sources etc. which will be outlined on the electronic learning materials and prepared in advance for each session. The tutorials allow discussion of common queries regarding project design, cross-fertilisation of ideas and peer learning. The supervisory sessions will also be used to deliver communication skills plus general skills such as career planning, revision and examination techniques.

(e) directed activity and independent learning.

University Library, Faculty of Sciences Learning Resource Centre, Internet & Email facilities. Blackboard.

Primarily this module aims to take students through the various stages of project design in preparation for the 30 credit module Geo-informatics project that has to be undertaken during Honours Level (Level 3). It includes: literature searching, relevance trees, bibliographic sources, research question formulation and research approaches (naturalistic and anti-naturalistic), data types (qualitative / quantitative, primary / secondary), reliability, analysis and sampling design, logistical planning and safety AND ethical issues.
The module also includes a tutorial programme which will provide discussion of geographical and geo-informatics subject matter related to the student's award and option modules and intermediate study / transferable / personal development planning skills e.g. essay / report writing, time management, advanced library skills, critical reading of articles, oral communication and career planning.