Module manager: Dr Luke Burns
Email: l.p.burns@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| GEOG2000 | Research Approaches in Human Geography |
| GEOG3615 | Human Geography Dissertation |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module runs in parallel to GEOG3615: Human Geography Dissertation and is exclusively for students registered on the BA Geography with Quantitative Methods programme. This module provides the opportunity for students to undertake an independent research project under the guidance of an academic mentor. The work will be underpinned by quantitative data and methods and typically involves applying methods explored earlier in the programme to a topic area of choice.
On completion of this module, students should have achieved the following:
- undertaken an independent and original piece of research, including proposal writing, data collection, analysis and writing with a firm focus on the use and application of quantitative data and methods introduced earlier in the programme
- presented their research to a peer group in a suitable format
- learnt to manage their own time and project to suit their needs and research programme
- demonstrated that they can produce a high-quality and professional piece of work
On completion of the module, students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Successfully planned, implemented and written up an individual quantitative methods-based research project.
2. Developed a broad range of skills during the module including general communication, writing and project management skills.
3. Further developed their subject-specific knowledge of concepts in quantitative approaches and methodologies for data collection, handling and analysis.
Skills Learning Outcome
On successful completion of the module students will have developed a broad range of skills including general communication, writing and project management skills as listed below:
A Subject specific knowledge and understanding of specifically:
A1: The dynamic nature of geographical thought and practice and the inter-relationships between the discipline and the social sciences and humanities
A2: Spatial patterns and relationships in human phenomena at a variety of scales
A3: The theory and application of quantitative, visualisation and other spatial techniques across a wide range of geographical contexts
B Cognitive skills, specifically, the ability to:
B1: Abstract and synthesise information from a variety of sources
B2: Critical analyse and interpret data and text
B3: Develop reasoned and critical arguments
C Practical and professional skills, including the ability to:
C1: Plan, design, execute and report geographical research
C2: Employ a variety of technical methods for the analysis and presentation of spatial and geographical information (e.g. GIS etc)
C3: Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative data
D Key skills :
D1: Communicate effectively in written, verbal and graphical/cartographical formats
D2: Identify, evaluate, aquire and make effective use of relevant geographical information and data from
D3: Manage time and organise work effectively
Dissertation topic is chosen in consultation with an academic mentor.
Semester 1 is focused on dissertation design, project planning and literature acquisition/evaluation.
Semester 2 is focused on data collection/acquisition, analysis and reporting/writing.
A series of taught sessions and active learning (e.g., workshops, small research group meetings and one-to-one meetings) throughout Semesters 1 & 2 support students to make progress with their research project.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Supervision | 7 | 0.5 | 3.5 |
| Small Group Learning | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| Lecture | 18 | 1 | 18 |
| Private study hours | 365.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 34.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
The Human Geography Dissertation (Quantitative Methods) is designed to be the culmination in the student experience. It is an independent piece of work conceived and carried out by the student. This campus-wide requirement ensures all students on the programme undertake a final year project (FYP).
Developing ideas for the dissertation begins in Level 2, Semester 2 as part of GEOG2000: Research Approaches in Human Geography. To support project conceptualisation at this stage, in Level 2, a small programme of lectures on generic issues (e.g. planning, health and safety, ethics etc) and some additional optional workshops on data sources and analysis are also provided.
To support students in executing their project from start to finish, an academic member of staff is assigned as a mentor with whom they meet. More importantly, however, they are placed into small peer dissertation support groups and are encouraged to meet regularly to discuss their challenges and ideas. Students also submit and receive formative feedback on two interim reports, the first of which focuses on their literature review and research design, while the second focuses on their data methods/analysis and progress made to date. Students on this specialist pathway also receive further support regarding quantitative methods/data sources, technical writing and professional societies/memberships as part of the allocated teaching/contact hours.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Coursework | 100 |
| Assignment | Coursework | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 30/04/2025
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