Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title RESEARCH SKILLS (GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE)
Code ENVS203
Coordinator Dr P Williamson
Geography and Planning
P.Williamson@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2020-21 Level 5 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Aims

Provide students with training in research methods and analysis techniques

Develop students' understanding and appreciation of the Environmental Sciences as a contemporary academic discipline

Nurture students' understanding of, and engagement with, theoretical and methodological issues in the Environmental Sciences

Develop students' skills of critical analysis and academic writing

Support students' preparation for individual research projects

Develop students' study and personal transferable skills

Develop students' awareness of careers and employability.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Demonstrate knowledge of the development of Geography and the Environmental Sciences in recent decades

(LO2) Demonstrate an appreciation of the nature and appropriate use of different methodological strategies

(LO3) Making use of newly-developed research skills and knowledge, identify a research problem or subject and design an appropriate research strategy

(LO4) Write a dissertation proposal in an academic style with appropriate illustrations, citations and references

(LO5) Enhanced ability to write an essay in a technical English academic style

(LO6) Make an oral presentation on a researched topic to a small group

(LO7) Develop personal employability skills through application letter and CV development

(S1) Adaptability

(S2) Problem solving skills

(S3) Numeracy

(S4) Organisational skills

(S5) Communication skills

(S6) IT skills

Syllabus
 

Semester One focuses on careers and employability

The syllabus is delivered via an online lecture/workshop series comprising core components for all students and options aimed at the two main sub-disciplines within the module (physical and social science), and twelve tutorial sessions aimed at more specific subject groups (environmental science, physical geography and human geography). The tutorials provide the learning environment for PDP/employability, for setting, supervising and marking assessment tasks, and for facilitating general discussions. Taught sessions will include:

Year Two induction & Enhancing Employability in Year Two

Networking and LinkedIn

CVs, Job Applications, Job Interviews

Semester Two  is focused on research skills and, in particular, on design and set up of a dissertation.

The lecture and practical elements run for seven weeks and are divided into two separate themes: physical geography and environm ental science, and human geography. The core themes will include:

Dissertation skills, employability & skills

Interviews and focus groups

Qualitative secondary data for human geographers/physical geographers and environmental scientists

Quantitative secondary data for human geographers/physical geographers and environmental scientists

Doing research: where do you start?

How to complete your dissertation proposal

Designing a survey

Analysing interview data (human geographers)

Ethnography (human geographers) / Research design (physical geographers and environmental scientists)

Archives (human geographers) /Research design (physical geographers and environmental scientists)

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Overall: hybrid delivery, with social distancing on campus.

Teaching Method 1 - Asynchronous Online Lectures
Purpose: Research skills & Employability training

Teaching Method 2 - Synchronous On-campus Tutorials [with option for online tutorials where required]
Purpose: Academic support; research skills & employability training; dissertation proposal support
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 3 - Practicals(some online and some on campus)
Purpose: Research skills training

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours     16

     16

8

 40
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 110
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Employability exercise: automated video job interview There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (W  7-8 minute job inter    15       
Individual oral presentation of dissertation proposal There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (W  Approx. 5 minutes (5    10       
203 literature essay There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 1  Approx. 1500 words    35       
Dissertation proposal There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 2  Approx. 2000 words    40       

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.