Overview

The module supports honours project planning and encourages critical thinking about the research process. It provides an introduction to geospatial data and methods within desktop GIS plus classical statistical techniques in the context of questionnaire analysis, formal experimental design, biodiversity evaluation and audit. The transferrable skills and knowledge acquired are utilisable in other modules and future employment. Students undertake short exercises to evaluate their understanding of the methods and tools covered through the course. The main task is to choose and produce a literature review / plan for the final year honours project, including a risk assessment.

Geographical Information Systems: data types, raster and vector data; primary sources, data capture; secondary data sources, data providers; data export formats and data translation; data projections, OSGB and WGS84 lat long; Global Positioning System (GPS), position fixing; organisation of spatial data; Structured Query Language (SQL); geoprocessing, overlay and boolean data, spatial sampling, modelling and analytical approaches; potential uses of GIS utilising a range of examples.

Statistics: principles of hypothesis generation, sampling, study design, spatial methods, 1- and 2-way ANOVA for completely randomised designs; 1 factor randomised block ANOVA; correlation coefficient; simple and multiple linear regression; social research methods.

In addition, the module covers: 1. Computer-based data manipulation, analysis and presentation. 2. Qualitative survey methods. 3. Literature review. 4. Evidence Synthesis (including systematic review and systematic mapping of research, critical appraisal of research and options for data synthesis).

Students will be encouraged to develop effective learning skills including: production of an honours project proposal; communication skills; and time management.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Grade D- to D+Able to perform the specified analyses within the tasks set. Relevant results included but may not be well summarised or presented. Some literature used to place the assessment in context and provide a rationale but may be incomplete and include irrelevant material. Appropriate statistical methods used but some errors in application. Discussion shows some, but incomplete recognition of limitations of the research. Honours project research objectives stated but may be imprecise. Literature review contains appropriate materials, but synthesis limited. Methods largely reproducible, but may be vague in places and not fully address the research objectives. Structure follows conventions but within section structure lacks order. Substantial changes may need to be made to the proposal before the honours project research can begin.

-good -Grade C- to B+Able to relate the analysis to the questions being asked within the tasks set. Good summary of results with some minor imperfections in presentation. Appropriate statistical methods used and applied with only minor errors. Good discussion recognising any limitations of the research. Clear statement of honours project research objectives. Good survey of the available literature with appropriate synthesis, providing context and rationale. Methods proposed are clear, reproducible and fully address the research objectives. Good structure. Minor changes may need to be made to the research before honours project research can begin.

-excellent -Grade A- and aboveAble to relate the analysis to the question being asked, including a demonstration of the understanding of the underlying assumptions. Results are presented to a high standard. Excellent use of appropriate statistical methods. Excellent discussion recognising limitations of the research and proposing alternative approaches for the future. Clear statement of coherent honours project research objectives. Excellent literature review providing a synthesis, context and rationale for the research. Methods proposed are clear, reproducible and fully address the research objectives. Structure near flawless. Only very minor changes may be required before the honours project research can begin.

Learning Outcomes

• Students can define a suitable and effective sampling procedure and apply appropriate methods for the analysis of data

• Students can utilise desktop Geographical Information System (ArcGIS) to display and manipulate different forms of spatial data

• Students are able to present research findings effectively and appropriately in a number of formats.

• Students can evaluate the ethical implications of their proposed research

• Students can plan and present appropriate research hypotheses / research objectives

• Students understand risk and can develop robust risk assessments

• Students use appropriate field equipment competently and safely select and apply a range of appropriate methods to solve field work-based problems