Research Design (Overseas Field Course)

Module code: GY2435

This module teaches techniques in Research Design. It teaches you how to formulate a research proposal (pose a question, frame aims, objectives and hypotheses, devise a scientific rationale and justification, design data collection protocols and sampling strategies), collect data through field work, analyse data using a range of statistical techniques and to write up your findings in a variety of formats.

Research projects are developed and executed during a week-long field trip to Almeria in SE Spain. A key element of the module is to design the research project which you'll complete and write up in your 3rd year as part of the Dissertation module GY3420.

Topics covered

• Research design
• Literature searches
• Sampling strategies
• Data analysis
• Report writing
• The Physical Geography of a SE Spain: Europe’s only Desert