Undergraduate - UnitATS3787 - Research methods in geography environment and sustainability

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2013 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

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Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	School of Geography and Environmental Science
Monash Passport category	Research Challenge (Investigate Program)
Offered	Clayton Second semester 2013 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Libby Porter; Dr Simon Connor

Notes

Previously coded GES3270

Synopsis

This unit trains students in basic research skills in geography and environmental science. The unit is of relevance to both applied and academic careers. After an overview of research philosophies and good research design, students select a stream of research methods relevant to their interest. These include social surveys and interviews; physical geography fieldwork; and indigenous archaeology. In addition to practical based assessment, students develop and execute a mini-research project of their own choice.

Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students will:

Have an ability to choose the most appropriate methods for addressing particular research questions and data sets;
Have an understanding of several research methodologies in geography and environmental science;
Have direct experience of the processes of individual, independent research and data collection;
An understanding of some of the ethical issues involved in research;
A capacity to produce high quality research reports that clearly present objectives, describe methods, and draw sound conclusions from the research outcomes.

Assessment

Project proposal (1000 words): 20%
Research report (3000 words): 40%
Project presentation: 20%
Exam(1 hour): 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Libby Porter

Contact hours

3 hour block consisting of a one hour lecture, plus 2 hour workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Geography and environmental science (ARTS)
Geographical science
Climate change and society
Conservation of biological diversity and cultural heritage
Land and water management
Urban, regional and international development

Prerequisites

24 points of GES, of which at least 12 must be at Level 2 or higher. The level 2 units must have been passed with at least an 80% average (HD average).

Prohibitions

ATS4587