Dissertation in Geography-Geology
Module title | Dissertation in Geography-Geology |
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Module code | GEO3460 |
Academic year | 2021/2 |
Credits | 40 |
Module staff | Dr Rachel Turner (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 25 |
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Module description
Doing a genuinely original piece of research is a crucial part of your academic training as a physical geographer or geologist. In this module you will get hands on experience of participating in current research, guided by professional researchers. You will learn how to design, plan and implement a self-contained research project and will have the opportunity to draw on the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout your degree programme.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The dissertation provides you with the opportunity to undertake your own independent and original piece of research, drawing on the substantive intellectual themes developed in the joint Geography-Geology programme. The aims of the dissertation are for you to develop:
- knowledge of a specific physical geographical or geological topic, of relevance to the Geography-Geology programme;
- an in-depth understanding of modern scientific discourse as seen through journal publications;
- an understanding of the challenges of empirical physical geographical and geological research, and the ability to deal with practical research problems (e.g. collecting, manipulating and analysing data);
- skills in designing a project and linking its subject-matter to other bodies of physical geographical and geological knowledge;
- skills in dealing with the complex inter-relationships of real-world processes;
- transferable skills in inter-personal communication, data collection and analysis, report writing, and effective time and project management.
The management, execution and communication of your dissertation research project allows you to develop highly valuable skills for the workplace. This module hands research-led enquiry over to you, the student, and allows you to tackle scientific questions that could ultimately lead to your specialism in the field. The module will expose you to some of the latest developments in the fields of physical geography and geology and ultimately pave the way into a deeper understanding of evidence-based scientific enquiry.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Explain in depth the nature of your chosen research problem and its relevance to the field(s) of study and to the relevant published literature
- 2. Identify, formulate, analyse and resolve research questions/problems appropriately, judge critically and evaluate evidence/previous research and provide a critical interpretation of data and text
- 3. Abstract and synthesise relevant information, assess the merits of different theories, concepts, explanations and policies
- 4. Describe your results and analyse them in terms of the original aims through demonstration of an appropriate approach to analysis and application of a rigorous pattern of experimental conception and/or data collection
- 5. Present substantive, relevant and realistic conclusions and indicate directions for future research in the area
- 6. Discuss critically the shortcomings of your research methods and defend your methodology
- 7. Develop and sustain a reasoned argument and define and defend the purpose of the dissertation and its place and function within physical geography and/or geology
- 8. Demonstrate a high level of literacy, graphicacy, numeracy and conceptual sophistication and prepare and produce a final report with limited support
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Plan, design and execute a piece of rigorous research, including the production of a final dissertation, which draws on the substantive intellectual themes developed in the Geography-Geology programme
- 10. Undertake effective fieldwork, with due consideration of safety and risk assessment (where applicable)
- 11. Prepare effective maps and diagrams using a range of appropriate technologies (where applicable)
- 12. Employ appropriate technical and/or laboratory-based methods for the analysis of data (where applicable)
- 13. Gather, interpret, evaluate and combine different types of physical geographical and geological evidence and information
- 14. Gain an understanding of how physical geography and/or geology is practised and how research is reported through engaging with the published scientific literature
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 15. Plan and execute a piece of primary research, operating in complex and unpredictable contexts
- 16. Undertake independent research (e.g. in library, laboratory, field), effectively, responsibly and with consideration of ethical issues
- 17. Collect, manipulate, analyse physical geographical and/or geological data, and communicate findings effectively using different media and using numeric and computational techniques where applicable
- 18. Communicate research problems and ask relevant questions
- 19. Liaise effectively with public and private bodies where appropriate
- 20. Structure a major piece of research work, and present it competently and clearly (e.g. write coherently, create and use diagrams, figures, appendices using appropriate C&IT)
- 21. Take responsibility for your own work and demonstrate competence in working independently (i.e. personal motivation, decision making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and work to deadlines and reflecting upon your progress and learning
Syllabus plan
The dissertation is a piece of independent research that is supported by a range of preparatory courses and tutorial/advisor meetings during Stages 2 and 3. You are obliged to meet with your advisor a minimum of five times in stage 3, between submission of your proposal and submission of your final report, but are encouraged to be proactive and seek additional meetings. Changes to your dissertation topic will not be possible beyond 1 December in the final stage. Dissertation supervisors will be drawn from across the Geography (CGES) and Geology (CSM) staff.
Stage 2: training is contained in the Stage 2 research methods module, and in the other modules you will take, which prepare you for the selection of topics including: choosing and designing a project, practical data acquisition and analysis methods. Meet project advisors to discuss dissertation plan following on submission of proposal at the beginning of term 3.
Summer vacation onwards: implement dissertation plan.
Stage 3: Continue research and report preparation. Week 2 of term 1 and week 1 of term 2: present progress report for discussion with advisor. Discussion of progress, researching and report writing in tutorials, with a minimum of 3 meetings. Submit dissertation at the end of term 2, Stage 3.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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20 | 380 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 10 | Dissertation supervision/tutorial hours |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 10 | Dissertation lectures, workshops and online forums for all dissertation students |
Guided Independent Study | 380 | Dissertation data collection, analysis and write up |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Project risk assessment | Risk assessment form | 16-17, 21 | Written and oral for health and safety team and supervisor |
Project ethics assessment | Short online form | 16-17, 21 | Written from supervisor and ethics committee |
Progress report at the beginning of term 1 | 400 words | All | Written and oral |
Progress report at the beginning of term 2 | Unlimited | All | Written and oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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90 | 0 | 10 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Oral presentation | 10 | 8 minutes | All | Written |
Dissertation project report | 90 | 8000 words | All | 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 |
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Oral presentation | Recorded presentation | All | August Assessment Period |
Dissertation project report | Dissertation project report | All | August Assessment Period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. 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 required to resubmit your dissertation project report and/or submit a recorded presentation. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Indicative basic reading list:
- Baxter, L., Hughes, C. and Tight, M. (1996) How to research, (Milton Keynes, Open University Press).
- Bell, J. (1993) Doing your research project, (Milton Keynes, Open University Press).
- Bird, J. (1993) The changing worlds of geography: a guide to concepts and methods, (London, Clarendon Press).
- Chalmers, N. and Parker, P. (1989) The Open University project guide. Fieldwork and statistics for ecological projects, (London, Field Studies Council).
- Cooper, B.M. (1964) Writing technical reports, (Harmondsworth, Penguin).
- Creswell, J.W. (1994) Research design: qualitative and quantitative methods, (London, Sage).
- Flick, U. (1998) An introduction to qualitative research, (London, Sage).
- Johnston, R. (1991) Geography and geographers, (4th edition), (London, Arnold).
- O’Connor, M. and Woodford, F.P. (1975) Writing scientific papers in English, (London, Association of Scientific Publishers).
- Parsons, T. and Knight, P.G. (1995) How to do your dissertation in geography and related disciplines, (London, Chapman and Hall).
- Rogers, A., Viles, H. and Goudie, A. (1992) The student’s companion to Geography, (Oxford, Blackwell).
- Rudestam, K.E. and Newton, R.R. (1992) Surviving your dissertation, (London, Sage).
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Credit value | 40 |
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Module ECTS | 20 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites |
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NQF level (module) | 6 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 03/10/2018 |
Last revision date | 22/11/2018 |