Module: Advanced Geographical Research Methods

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	Advanced Geographical Research Methods
Module Code	GEO1045
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	History & Geography
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

As a final year capstone module, Advanced Geographical Research Methods will equip students with the skills and knowledge to design, execute and communicate their research findings on a specific geographical topic. The module is designed to build on and augment students existing knowledge of sources, methods and approaches in a specific field of geographic research. Working either individually or collectively as a team, each supported by the module coordinator will identify a feasible research question. Specific sources and appropriate methodologies will be outlined and students equipped in deciding which are most relevant and appropriate to deploy in their research project. Alongside lectures, workshops will allow students work through and gain practical research experience. An opportunity to present their research findings in a variety of different formats, including written projects and oral illustrated presentations, will allow for the refinement of existing presentation and communication skills. In addition, each student will have the opportunity to reflect at an individual level on their experience and learning in this module, as they compile a reflective learning journal.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of, and familarity with the source materials, relevant to a specific geography specialisms
2. Identify and deploy the appropriate research methodologies in completing their research project
3. Create, manage, collate and analyse a dataset of geographical information
4. Communicate research findings effectively in a variety of different formats
5. Document and critically reflect on their learning experiences in this module

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	48	Lectures, workshops and seminars
Assignment Completion	130	Research and compilation of research project
Assignment Completion	48	Individual reflective journal
Class Presentation	24	In class mid semester, project progress report presentation
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	21470	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Almar Ennis	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	Illustrated oral presentation detailing progress of research project	20%	n/a
Project	Written and illustrated research project conducted either as an individual or team submission	50%	Sem 2 End
Reflective journal	Reflective journal completed individually by each student documenting their learning and experiences in this module	30%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

n/a
Over the course of this module, students, working either individually or as a group will be introduced to a range of sources and methodologies for a specific geography specialism. They will be guided and scafolded in their identification of a specific geographic research question, and in their identification of appropriate sources and methodologies that they can employ in responding to the research question posed.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Basil Gomez,John Paul Jones, III: 2010, Research Methods in Geography, John Wiley & Sons, 480, 9781444327731
Nicholas Clifford,Meghan Cope,Thomas W. Gillespie: 2023, Key Methods in Geography, Sage Publications Limited, 0, 9781529772098

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None