Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

    Overview

    An introduction to field research in geography.

    Field Research Methods provides students majoring in a BSc - Geography or BAppSc - Environmental Management, the opportunity to learn and practise skills for collecting, analysing and interpreting geographic data. GEOG 290 will provide examples of how the specific knowledge, skills, techniques and values are relevant to the geographic discipline. This content will then be supported by your laboratory session, where you will work through a real case study and apply the critical and interpretative skills necessary to interpret geographical data sets.

    An introduction to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a core component of this paper and hands-on experience using GIS software to solve geographic problems features in the second half of the paper.

    A week long residential field school is the highlight of Field Research Methods. All students travel to a South Island location to work on a series of projects offering hands-on experience in designing sampling regimes, collecting field data, using field instruments and techniques and working as a team with fellow class members and departmental staff. The skills, values and knowledge from GEOG 290 will contribute significantly to your portfolio of graduate skills and knowledge that you will use in your chosen career.

    About this paper

    Paper title Field Research Methods (Science)
    Subject Geography
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Full Year (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,110.75
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    GEOG 101 and GEOG 102
    Schedule C
    Arts and Music, Science
    Eligibility
    Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission.
    Contact
    geography@otago.ac.nz
    Teaching staff

    Course Co-ordinator: Dr Daniel Kingston
    Teaching Fellow: Ben Varkalis

    Paper Structure

    GEOG 290 is a team-taught course that is comprised of a weekly lecture, laboratory based exercises and field-based exercises.

    Assessment is 100% internally assessed.

    Teaching Arrangements

    One lecture and one 2-hour practical per week.

    Five-day residential field camp to the Catlin’s, Monday 4 April - Friday 8 April.

    Textbooks

    Highly Recommended text:
    Rogerson, P.A. (2020) Statistical Methods for Geography - A Student's Guide. 5th Edition. Sage Publications, London.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes
    By the end of the paper you should:
    • Understand the broad framework of the scientific method and designing sampling regimes
    • Articulate testable hypotheses and apply appropriate analytical techniques
    • Develop proficiency in data interpretation from statistical analysis
    • Develop skills working in a team toward collecting field-based data
    • Competence with a range of field-based geographical techniques and instruments

    Timetable

    Full Year

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Computer Lab

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    A1 Tuesday 14:00-15:50 10-13, 18-19, 21-22
    Tuesday 14:00-16:50 20
    A2 Wednesday 14:00-15:50 10-13, 18-19, 21-22
    Wednesday 14:00-16:50 20
    A3 Thursday 14:00-15:50 10-13, 18-22
    A4 Friday 14:00-15:50 10-13, 18-22
    AND one stream from
    B1 Tuesday 14:00-15:50 28-34, 36-37
    B2 Wednesday 14:00-15:50 28-34, 36-37
    B3 Thursday 14:00-15:50 28-34, 36-37
    B4 Friday 14:00-15:50 28-34, 36-37

    Fieldwork

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 08:00-20:50 14
    Tuesday 08:00-20:50 14
    Wednesday 08:00-20:50 14
    Thursday 08:00-20:50 14
    Friday 08:00-20:50 14

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    L1 Monday 13:00-13:50 9-13, 18-22
    Tuesday 13:00-13:50 9, 13, 39
    AND
    M1 Monday 13:00-13:50 28-34, 36-38
    Back to top