Department of Geography and Resource Management

GRM 2103 Research Methods (2008-09)

Lecturer:Prof. Yee LEUNG

(FYB 225; E-mail: ; Telephone: 26096473)

Tutors:Mr Wong Wai Fung Vincent

(FYB234; E-mail: ; Telephone: 26096541)

Ms. Ge Erjia

(FYB 216; E-mail: ; Telephone: 26098085)

Lecture venue and time: ELB LT4 (Thursday 10:30 am -12:15 pm, H3 - H4)

Course Description

The course emphasizes the fundamentals of geographical research design. Topics covered include research problem formulation, data source, sampling methods, data collection, data analysis and guidelines for proposal and report writing.

Course Outline

I.Formulation of a Research Project (L:3, 45-62, 68-70; 4; 5; 12)

II.Guidelines for Writing a Proposal [(DRDA), (L:3, 62-65; 4:84-91; 6)]

(T1)

III.Data Types and Sources [(D:3), (MM:2), (N:1)]

IV.Sampling Methods [(DL17), (L:9, 202-221), (M:5), (M:6;7), (S:3)]

(T2)

V.Questionnaire Design [(DL18), (L:9, 189-202)]

(T3)

VI.Survey Logistics (S:5)

VII.Data Analysis

Non-parametric statistics (N:1; 5-8; 9-14)

(T4)

Analysis of variance (SI)

Correlation and regression, a revisit (CH:9.2, 291-331; CH:10, 11)

(T5)

VIII.Report Writing [(O:8), (L:12)]

IX.Project Management [HL:5(229--247)]

Expected Learning Outcome

This course focuses on the fundamentals of designing and carrying out geographical research projects. Special emphasis is placed on the analysis of survey data. After taking this course, students are expected to be able to: (a) understand the basic steps for project formulation; (b) determine sample size and sampling methods for an investigation; (c) collect data through interviews with questionnaire; (d) analyze and interpret survey data, particularly non-parametric data; (e) follow basic steps in proposal and report writing; and (f) if time permits, know basic concepts in project management.

Learning Activities

There will be lectures, tutorials and homeworks in this course. Lectures emphasize concepts, computational methods, and illustrations. Tutorials focus on discussion of assigned readings and materials complementing or substantiating the lectures. Homeworks involve essentially computational exercises designed to strengthen the understanding of concepts and data analysis methods. WebCT will be used to facilitate the dissemination of teaching and learning materials as well as course management.

Assessment

Homework / Tutorial / Mid-term Exam / Final Exam
10 % / 10 % / 30 % / 50 %

Feedback for evaluation

In order to improve the teaching and learning quality for this course, the following feedback mechanisms are implemented.

Feedback / To whom / Where / When
Qualitative feedback from students / Tutors and/or teacher through informal interaction / During lecture and outside class / Throughout the term
Course evaluation / Teacher and department / Lecture room / End of the term
Visiting examiner report / University, department and teacher / Overseas / End of the term
Reflection of teacher (including evidence from assessment) / Teacher and tutors / All learning activities / Throughout the term
Curriculum review / Related teachers and Curriculum & Teaching Committee / Department / End of the term

References

Clark, W.A.V. & P.L. Hosking. Statistcal Methods for Geographers. Singapore: John Wiley & Sons, 1986. (CH)

Daugherty, R. Data Collection. London: OxfordUniversity Press, 1974. (D)

Dixon, C. and B. Leach. Sampling Methods for Geographical Research. CATMOG, No. 17. (DL17)

Dixon, C. and B. Leach. Questionnaires and Interviews in Geographical Research. CATMOG, No. 18. (DL18)

Hillier, F.S. and G.J. Lieberman. Introduction to Operations Research. San Francisco: Holden-Day, 1974. (HL)

Leedy, P.D. Practical Research: Planning and Design.New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1997. (L)

McCullagh, P. Data Use and Interpretation. London: OxfordUniversity Press, 1974. (M)

McGrew, J.C. and C.B. Monroe. An Introduction to Statistical Problem Solving in Geography. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2000 (MM)

Norcliffe, G.B. Inferential Statistics for Geographers. London: Hutchinson, 1982. (N)

Orlich, D.C.Designing Sensible Surveys. Pleasantville: Redgrave, 1978. (O)

Sheskin, I.M. Survey Research for Geographers. Washington, D.C.: Association of American Geographers, 1985. (S)

Silk, J. The Analysis of Variance. CATMOG, No. 30. (SI)

Tutorial

(T1)

Proposal Writer's Guide. Ann Arbor: DRDA, The University of Michigan, 1986. (in reference box)

Mary Hall, Developing Skills in Proposal Writing, Portland: Continuing Education Publications, 1977, pp.3-10, 85-95.

Miner, L.E. & J. Griffith, Proposal Planning and Writing, Phoenix: the Oryx Press, 1993, pp. 131-139.

(T2)

Berry, B.J.L. and A. Baker, Geographic Sampling, in Berry, B.J.L.and D.F. Marble (eds.), Spatial Analysis. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1968, pp. 91-100.

Holmes, J., Problems in Location Sampling, Annals, AAG, 57(1967), pp. 757-780.

DL 17

(T3)

Peterson, R.A., Constructing Effective Questionnaires, Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2000, pp.13-27, 101-119.

Belson, W.A., The Design and Understanding of Survey Questions, Gower Publishing, 1981, pp.388-395.

2001 Electronic Application Submission System, Planning Department, HKSAR

(T4)

N:1; 5-8; 9-14

Revision

(T5)

Alexander, J.W., and J.B. Lindberg. Measurements of Manufacturing: Coefficients of Correlation, Journal of Regional Science, 3(1), pp. 71-81, 1961.

Knos, D.S. The Distribution of Land Values in Topeka, Kansas, in B.J.L. Berry and D.F. Marbles, Spatial Analysis: A Reader in Statistical Geography. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, pp. 269-89, 1968.

Greenwood, M.J. A Regression Analysis of Migration to Urban Areas of A Less-Developed Country: The case of India, Journal of Regional Science, 11(2), pp. 253-262, 1971.

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