Garmin GPS Units
Sciences IT suite specialist software (freehand, Arcview)
Sciences Learning Resource Centre
University Library
Blackboard

Beatley, T (2000) Green urbanism: learning from European cities
Low, N et al (2005) The green city: sustainable home, sustainable suburbs
Randall, T (2003) Sustainable urban design: an environmental approach
Flowerdew, R & D Martin (2005) Methods in Human Geography: a guide for students doing research projects
Robinson, G (1998) Methods and techniques in human geography.
Robson, C. (2002) Real World Research.

There will be a weekly set of 2 hour workshops which will introduce the ethos of research / consultancy, sustainability themes and the research methodologies and analysis (24 hrs). This will be supported by group based fieldwork both staff led (GPS mapping) and also student-led fieldwork including interviewing, questionnaire surveying, focus group work and auditing (18 hrs).

In addition students will be expected to meet independently 1 hour per week in their groups to ensure that group working is effective.

The culmination of this work will be a one day conference organised in the inter-teaching block week which will include student oral and poster presentations, peer assessment, plenary discussion session from which recommendations will be made for implementation of findings (6 hours).

This module will develop knowledge and understanding of a broad range of research methods and techniques through students conducting group action research examining the environmental and sustainability issues of urban communities in Stoke-on-Trent including the University campus itself. The students will be commissioned to conduct environmental sustainability audits / investigations on a variety of themes e.g. recycling, green campus, transport, urban design etc. Key methods and techniques and analysis will be taught and then applied and practiced by the students - methods will include questionnaire survey, interviewing and secondary data sources. Students will also be introduced to GPS mapping and data recording. The group projects information will be presented at a `conference? with poster and oral presentations.

None

Presentation (35%) - 20 minute group conference presentation on the results and interpretation [Outcomes 1,3, 4, 6]

Poster Presentation (35%) - group poster presentation and on the context and critical review of the methods deployed [Outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5]

Individual reflective diary (30%) - on the group working and lessons learnt in conducting research [Outcome 4]


Additional Assessment Details:
Formative Assessment: During the weekly workshops formative feedback will be provided through discussion with tutors and peers about issues relating to the design and execution of their investigation of sustainability issues within the local community. This will help inform the way in which students decide to collect, analyse and interpret their data and encourage them to reflect on their ability to work as part of a team.