Social research methods

geography

obligatory courses

Social geography 1900-1-GSP

Economic geography 1900-1-GEKON

Students should have basic knowledge of socio-economic geography and the range of research undertaken in this field.

Classroom

Students will be introduced to:

- basic principles of research preparation in socio-economic geography

- the way surveys are prepared,

- with the basic concepts and methods of statistical analysis.

During the course students will be introduced to the basic principles of preparing research in geography, research approaches and basic quantitative and qualitative methods will be discussed, as well as methods of analyzing visual material. The second part of the course is about the ways of organizing survey research, the ways of preparing a survey questionnaire will be discussed in detail, including the types of technically and logically open and closed questions. Students will be introduced to basic concepts and methods of statistical analysis (qualitative data analysis, quantitative data analysis, preparation of electronic database). During the classes (exercises) students learn how to use SPSS program.

During the exercises the student:

- learns to develop a research topic, formulates the problem and research questions

- finds out about sources of information, data and results of other research

- builds a research tool and critically verifies it, recognizes the types of questions that can be used in questionnaire studies and is able to select the appropriate form.

The extracurricular purpose of the class is:

- learning to work individually

- learning group work (division of work, duties and responsibilities)

Work:

classes = 2 ECTS

lecture = 1 ECTS

Babbie E., 2001, Badania społeczne w praktyce, PWN

Francuz P., Mackiewicz, R., Liczby nie wiedzą, skąd pochodzą: Przewodnik po metodologii i statystyce nie tylko dla psychologów

Wieczorkowska G., Wierzbiński J., 2011, Statystyka. Od teorii do praktyki, SCHOLAR

Additional literature will be provided in the exercises once the research topic has been formulated.

Key performance indicators: K_W04, K_W10, K_W11, K_U03, K_U04, K_U09, K_U10, K_K02, K_K06

Students are able to independently formulate research problem and select research methods and apply them - both in relation to the analysis of spatial data, as well as data from questionnaire studies.

KNOWLEDGE - the student knows:

1. application of theoretical knowledge of geography and geoinformatics

2. basics of mathematics and statistics as well as methods of spatial analysis on a level allowing to describe phenomena in geographical space

SKILLS - the student is able to:

1. select and apply optimal methods for spatial data acquisition, analysis and presentation

2. plan and carry out simple scientific research or projects

3. co-operate, organise work in a group, fulfilling various roles in it and predict the results of their activity

4. communicate with the public using appropriate information and communication technology

COMPETENCIES - The student is prepared to:

1. responsibility for the implementation of commitments undertaken, for the safety of their own work and that of others, and observance of professional ethics

2. act in an entrepreneurial manner in preparing and implementing environmental, social and economic projects

Exercises

Attendance at exercises is mandatory, two absences are allowed. As a rule, work is done in small teams.

The credit for the exercises is given after the preparation of the assigned work and obtaining more than 50% of the points.

Detailed rules for preparing and scoring papers will be discussed in class.

The lecture series ends with a written exam, in the form of a test consisting of open and technically closed questions. A pass in the exam is awarded if more than 50% of the points are obtained.

Passing the whole course requires obtaining more than 50% from exercises and exam.

not applicable