| CODE | GEO2014 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Academic Writing and Research Methods in Geography | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Geography | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit aims to prepare students for their research work and dissertation. It identifies key issues in academic writing and research methods. It prepares students for critical reading and use of literature resources in Geography. It also deals with issues related to ethics, plagiarism and how to write a dissertation. The lectures include (i) general and subject specific research methods (ii) finding the topic of research, (iii) formulating a hypothesis/es and establishing research questions, (iv) how to carry out a literature review and (v) how to prepare and submit a dissertation. Study-unit Aims: - Prepare students to submit their dissertation proposal; - Support the development of student research; - Describe research methods in Geography; - Provide the framework for writing an academic piece of work; - Explain the different stages of research and academic writing; - Explain the procedures dealing with research ethics and plagiarism. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - understand the key principles of academic writing; - define research methods in geography; - apply research methods to specific fields of geographical enquiry; - explain the importance of ethics and plagiarism in research. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - develop a research proposal; - structure a dissertation; - apply for research ethics approval; - follow the procedure for plagiarism. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Text - Flowerdew, R. and Martin, D. 2005. Methods in Human Geography: A Guide for Students Doing a Research Project, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall, Essex. - Montello, D.R. and Sutton, P.C. 2006. An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography: Concepts and Techniques, Sage Publications, London. - Rogerson, P.A. 2006. Statistical Methods for Geography: A Student's Guide, 2nd edition, Sage Publications, London. Supplementary Text - Knight, P.G. and Parsons, A.J. 2003. How To Do Your Essays, Exams and Coursework in Geography and Related Disciplines, Nelson Thornes, Cheltenham. - Parsons, A.J. and Knight, P.G. 2005. How To Do Your Dissertation in Geography and Related Disciplines, 2nd edition, Routledge, London. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Therese Bajada Ritienne Gauci John A. Schembri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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