KE5063 - Research in Physical Geography

You will learn through lectures, seminars, practical workshops and supervision meetings. Lectures are designed (i) to introduce you to key theoretical concepts on the history and philosophy of science, enabling you to understand the context in which science operates; and (ii) to provide the background necessary to help prepare you for your final year dissertation. Seminars and practical workshops will run in two blocks alongside lectures. In the first half of the module, seminars ran by staff across the discipline will introduce you to a range of topics on which you could choose to conduct your dissertation, detailing different topic-specific approaches and potential primary and secondary datasets. In the second half of the module, seminars will focus on research/experimental design and methods, including setting research objectives.

The formal scheduled activities will support your individual learning as you progress towards being an independent researcher, although a significant proportion of your time in the second semester will require independent learning as you focus your attention towards designing your dissertation project. You will work with a supervisor on your dissertation, and in this module you will have 1-to-1 meetings with your supervisor to develop your dissertation proposal. Throughout the module there will be opportunities to interact with numerous staff teaching on the module, as well as drop-in sessions for support with the assessment. On completion of the module, you will have produced a planned research project that is both ethically-sound and health and safety aware.

A large proportion of the teaching on this module is supported by staff in small groups and workshops. Lectures provide the theoretical context in large group settings, but you will have the opportunity to interact with staff one-to-one in seminars and supervision meetings to support your learning.

In the preparation of your dissertation proposal, you will attend seminars to support your independent research project that introduce you to examples of research ideas and safety and ethical issues. Throughout the dissertation planning process you will work closely with staff to develop and refine your research ideas, normally through detailed one-to-one meetings. Staff members with expertise in a variety of academic subjects will also be available in several drop-in workshops, where you can discuss your ideas in an informal setting.

All learning materials will be made available through eLP, including electronic reading lists. Teaching staff operate an ‘open door’ policy for students meaning you can approach them anytime during normal office hours, or via email, to answer questions, receive feedback and support your learning on the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
? MLO1: Review and evaluate a range of key issues in geographical research, including their history and scientific context.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
? MLO2: Plan and design a well-justified research project.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
? MLO3: Discuss the ethical and moral issues of conducting research.
• MLO4: Demonstrate a curiosity for and enthusiasm for aspects of Geographical research.

Dissertation proposal (2500 words, 100%): A proposal for your final year dissertation project, which includes a literature review and research objectives (MLOs 1, 2, 4).

You will be given the opportunity to create a draft version to be commented on by your research supervisor.

You will also be required to complete a health and safety assessment and ethics evaluation to ensure your research plans are safe and ethically sound (MLO 3). However, the risk assessment and ethics forms will not be formally assessed.

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This module guides you through the process of planning and conducting physical geography research, preparing you for carrying out your dissertation at the end of the module. Your final year dissertation provides an incredible opportunity to spend an extended period carrying out research on a topic you are really passionate about and gaining skills that will be invaluable for future employment. However, before you start, this task can seem daunting, so this module is designed to guide you through the research process, and equip you with the skills to design and execute research in physical geography. The module introduces you to research approaches in physical geography, including the collection and use of primary and secondary data, as well as introducing you to a wide range of methods that you can use for data collection and analysis. Once you have chosen a dissertation project of interest, you will be supported on the module to produce a literature review on the topic and set research objectives. The module runs in parallel with the Field Applications module, in which you will be able to apply the skills learnt in this module in a field setting. This module will build your employability by developing skills in project design, project management, conducting independent research, communication and time management.