Description
The Research in Physical Geography and Environmental Science module provides an opportunity for the student to undertake an independent investigation of a topic of their choice, which is relevant to either Geography or Environmental Science, and must address an original research question. The research project may involve the collection of original data through field and/or laboratory research, or may apply novel analyses to secondary data. The results of the student's independent research are presented in the format of a written research article which should be consistent in structure to the research literature of the identified field of study within either Geography or Environmental Science and should include: (i) The aims and objectives of the research; (ii) The relevance of the research question; (iii) The methodology to be applied to the acquisition and analysis of primary and secondary data, including the availability and sustainability of any secondary data sources; (iv) Results of the data collection and subsequent data analyses; (v) Discussion of the results and findings, and (vi) Conclusions in the context of the project aims and objectives.
• By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Design an independent piece of research on a suitable topic;
- Critically assess the results of previous research relevant to the chosen topic;
- Select a methodological approach appropriate to the proposed research;
- Evaluate relevant information sources;
- Gain experience from the gathering of data by means of field, laboratory and/or documentary sources as appropriate;
- Analyse and make original observations on the data collected;
- Critically analyse research findings within the context of the wider research literature;
- Present research results clearly and concisely in the form of text, maps, diagrams and other appropriate illustrations;