This module supports students through the various stages of project design in preparation for the Geography Independent Research Project or the Geography Work Place Project at Level 6. The first part of this module further develops key transferable skills, such as oral communication, critical reading, debating, dealing with contentious ideas, problem-solving and personal development planning. The second part of the module focuses more specifically on supporting and enabling students to design their independent research project; it includes: mind-mapping, literature searching and reviewing; research question formulation and research approaches; data types, reliability, analysis and sampling design; logistical planning and ethical and safety issues.

One 2500-word essay assignment (45%) [assessing learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 ]
One 15-minute individual presentation (15%) [assessing learning outcomes 1, 4,5,6]
One research project proposal (40%) [assessing learning outcomes 1, 5, 6 ] - final assessment

The oral presentation includes time for questions, enabling students to outline their project plan and get feedback from staff and peers before submitting their research project proposal.

Tutorials and one-to-one sessions with a research project supervisor will provide students with regular formative feedback and allow them to evaluate their progress.

1) Weekly tutorials in Teaching Black 1 will enhance critical reading, research and communication skills through a series of directed reading and debating activities (10 hours)

2) Two x 1-hour lectures in Teaching Block 1 will introduce project preparation and planning, will explain the connections to the Level 6 Geography Independent Research Project and Geography Work Place Project and will direct students to independent learning materials that they will need to engage with throughout the remainder of the module (2 hours).

3) Following registration of a project topic late in Teaching Block 1, weekly tutorial and one-to-one sessions with an appropriate research project supervisor will assist students to develop and plan their research projects during Teaching Block 2 (10 hours).

4) Independent learning materials will enable students to prepare for project planning tutorials, complete directed learning activities made available via VLE, engage with the project planning support materials and to complete the assessments.

Clifford, N. & Cope, M. 2016. Key Methods in Geography (3rd 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 2015. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines (3rd Edition). Chapman & Hall.

Rogers, A., Viles, H. & Goudie, A. 2002. The students' companion to geography. 2nd edition Blackwell.

These will vary according to the nature of the project, but will commonly include:
University Library, Sciences Learning Resource Centre, IT, internet and email facilities, access to GIS and other software, access to laboratories and laboratory equipment, access to field equipment, audio-visual recording equipment, appropriate secondary data sets and VLE.

None.

1. Identify suitable potential project topics.
(KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING, ENQUIRY)

2. Demonstrate a thorough and critical understanding of the key conceptual ideas for a specific project topic.
(KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING, APPLICATION)

3. Identify and review an appropriate set of literature and other resources and communicate key ideas effectively through a literature review essay.
(KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING, COMMUNICATION)

4. Communicate ideas effectively and critically through a formal oral presentation
(APPLICATION, COMMUNICATION)

5. Identify and articulate research questions, methodology, action plan and data analysis associated with a specific project topic.
(ENQUIRY, PROBLEM SOLVING, APPLICATION)

6. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and safety dimensions of project work and apply those effectively to a specific project plan.
(KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING, PROBLEM SOLVING, APPLICATION, REFLECTION)