GY140      One Unit
Introduction to Geographical Research

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

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The main objective of this course is to introduce students to the production of geographical and environmental knowledge and to prepare them to become producers of such knowledge themselves. It provides students with a sound understanding of both the conceptual foundations and real-world applications of a variety of methodological approaches for conducting research. To appreciate why, how, and to what ends geographers conduct research on the social and spatial dimensions of human activity, the research process is examined from beginning to end: selecting a topic, performing a literature review, designing a project, collecting and analysing data, and communicating results. The process of producing knowledge about geography and the environment is also examined from a number of different perspectives: examining case studies of written work, engaging with internationally-renowned researchers, discussing the rationale for choosing a methodological approach, practicing the application of individual methods, and designing and executing a piece of independent research. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are discussed in detail and practical exercises give students the opportunity to apply various methods from the course in their own research.

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
10 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.

In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.

Methods in human geography: a guide for students doing a research project (Flowerdew and Martin, 2005); Statistics: a tool for social research (Healey, 2012); Statistics in geography and environmental science (Harris and Jarvis, 2011); Geography and geographers: Anglo-American geography since 1945 (Johnston, 1997); International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (Kitchin and Thrift, 2009); Key methods in geography (Clifford, French, and Valentine, 2010); Qualitative research methods in human geography (Hay, 2010).

Presentation (25%)

Project (50%, 2500 words)

Research design (25%, 1500 words)