Doing Human Geography Research
| Module title | Doing Human Geography Research |
|---|---|
| Module code | GEO2338 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Matt Finn (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 150 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides you with an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of how to design and do high-quality research in human geography. The module is designed to prepare you for undertaking research within and beyond the university context; especially dissertation research, and seeks to equip you with key employability attributes for professional careers. The module will be taught using a variety of formats and is one of the compulsory modules you study as part of a BA Geography degree, as well as being a required module for Flexible Combined Honours students wishing to undertake a residential human geography field course in the final year and / or a dissertation.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this module you will:
- Develop a critically engaged understanding of how human geographers design and implement research projects;
- Gain practical experience of designing and doing human geography research and through this learn about the geographies of consumption;
- Work through a process to explore, develop and articulate ideas for dissertation research.
The module has the following objectives:
- To consider the research process and the ethical implications of different research practices;
- To understand key research design approaches and issues, drawing on different traditions in the social sciences;
- To analyse research data and consider how research can be communicated to different audiences;
- To evaluate different forms of research design and their likely impacts and outcomes;
- To lead you through a process by which you explore and articulate your ideas for dissertation research.
The module develops a range of skills of value in employment particularly around understanding and taking part in the process of creating, developing and communicating ideas and taking initiative to translate these into programmes of ethical and rigorous action through project management approaches. It allows you to extend your knowledge of an area of interest in an enquiry-led approach and to develop a dissertation topic and, where relevant, results in networking for research which can also be used to aid future employment opportunities. The module encourages the development of creative and imaginative problem-solving skills and specific parts of the course focus on employability in relation to research skills and the dissertation.
The module is informed by research expertise both in and beyond Geography at Exeter and literature on designing effective research in Human Geography. It is also informed by pedagogic research on effective approaches to support students in developing dissertation plans.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Develop a working understanding of research design in human geography
- 2. Make informed choices concerning the approaches, considerations and challenges involved in producing, analysing and presenting geographical knowledge, whether qualitative or quantitative
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Formulate and evaluate research questions
- 4. Contextualise the production of geographical knowledges in relation to academic literature
- 5. Justify the methodological choices made as part of a projects research design, showing consideration of relevant ethical issues
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Understand and implement approaches to designing and doing project work, such as a research project.
- 7. Use ICT effectively and appropriately to analyse and present geographical information.
Syllabus plan
The module has three parts
Part 1: Fundamentals of Research Design
Part 2: Doing Human Geography Research
Part 3: Developing Dissertation Research Plans
The module is taught mainly through online ELE resources which support on campus or online workshops and seminars with a significant component of research conducted as research teams and supported by seminar leaders who act as project advisors.
The syllabus plan is indicative of the kinds of issues we will explore in the module:
- Principles of research design
- Approaches to research design
- Introducing the geographies of consumption
- Formulating ideas for research projects
- Forming research questions and reviewing literature
- Ethical practice in research
- Methods and methodologies
- Practical considerations in research design
- Issues of rigour, validity and generalisability
- The process of analysing and writing-up
- Preparing for a longer projects i.e. a dissertation
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | 255 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 15 | Workshops including drop-in advice and research team working time |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | Research team meetings (not supervised by staff) |
| Guided Independent Study | 255 | Research team meetings and group work, background reading and coursework preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project progress reviews | Using template | 1-7 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Research Justification with Group Ethics Pack | 20 | Template provided | 1-7 | Written |
| Individual Research Report | 45 | 3000 words | 1-7 | Written |
| Individual Dissertation Proposal | 35 | Template provided | 1-7 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Research Justification with Group Ethics Pack | Individual Research Justification with Individual Ethics Pack (Templated provided, 20%) | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Individual Research Report | Individual Research Report (3000 words, 45%) | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Individual Dissertation Proposal | Individual Dissertation Proposal (Template provided, 35%) | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
The following represents an indicative list of basic reading to accompany key components of this module. Guidance on additional reading will be provided alongside sessions during the module.
- Clark, T., Foster, L., Sloan, L. and Bryman, A. (eds) (2021) Bryman’s social research methods, 6th Edition Oxford: Oxford University Press
- Clifford, N., Cope, M., and Gillespie, T. (eds) (2023) Key Methods in Geography, 4th edition London: Sage
- Flowerdew R and Martin D (Eds) (2005) Methods in Human Geography: A Guide for Students Doing a Research Project. Harlow: Prentice Hall
- Kitchen R and Tate N J (2000) Conducting research in human geography. Harlow: Prentice Hall
- Parsons T and Knight P G (2005) How to do your dissertation in geography and related disciplines. London: Routledge
- Peters K (2017) Your Human Geography Dissertation: Designing, Doing, Delivering. London: Sage
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE page
Key words search
Geography, consumption, human geography, research design
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 12/03/2024 |
| Last revision date | 20/02/2025 |
