Support will be given by staff in three forms (i) general sessions (3 hours) for the whole group which provide information on time management, data analysis, report format and assessment criteria (ii) one-to-one supervisor sessions (a minimum of 6 hour-long meetings; a maximum of 12) for specific project guidance and iii) the viva voce examination. The student will primarily be engaged in independent learning involving planning data collection (including fieldwork), analysis and presentation. The module is supported by a Project Preparation and Planning module at Level 5.

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.

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.

The module enables students to produce original investigative research on a geographical or environmental topic that is appropriate to their chosen pathway. The student project identifies an issue which can be examined through fieldwork and/or by library/archival investigation. Students are encouraged to do fieldwork or gather other information, as appropriate, during the summer vacation prior to Level 6. An academic supervisor is allocated to each student to provide guidance on the project and ensure that the topic is appropriate to their degree pathway.

One viva voce examination towards the end of Teaching Block 1 (15%)

One project document [assessing learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] (85%) - final assessment

Assessment 1 assesses learning outcomes 1, 2 & 3, 7 & 8
Assessment 2 assesses learning outcomes 1 - 6
Formative Assessment: One project abstract and project progress form, scheduled at the start of Teaching Block 1. Assesses learning outcomes 7 & 8

1. Organise a research project through each of its stages, working independently
(ANALYSIS, ENQUIRY, KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING, LEARNING, PROBLEM SOLVING, COMMUNICATION)

2. Critically interpret the real world through the application of appropriate concepts and identify implications for these concepts arising from this real world experience
(APPLICATION, REFLECTION)

3. Produce a substantial piece of systematic and analytical research work corresponding to stipulated guidelines
(APPLICATION, REFLECTION)