Research Methods

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Clifford, Nicholas J. and Gill Valentine. 2003. Key Methods in Geography. Sage. Publications. This textbook will be available at the Livingston bookstore by mid.
REVISED 8/28/2009

Professor Robin Leichenko Geography 330/Fall 2009

Research Methods Geography 330 Course web site: Use your Rutgers net id and password to log-in to SAKAI https://sakai.rutgers.edu/portal/site/!gateway/page/!gateway-100 This course provides an introduction to research methods and research design in geography. Topics addressed include formulation of research questions and hypotheses, development of research projects, and quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The class will follow a lecture and group discussion format. Class time will also be devoted to development and execution of assignments for group course research projects. This class is required for the Geography major. Class attendance and all exams and written assignments are mandatory. Meeting time and place Mon. 1:40pm to 4:20pm, B266 Lucy Stone Hall Contact information Professor Robin Leichenko email: [email protected]; phone: 732-445-4056 Office: B220 Lucy Stone Hall Office Hours: Monday 11:30am to 1:30pm or by appt. Requirements and percentage of grade associated with each requirement 1. First Midterm exam (25 percent) 2. Second Midterm exam (25 percent) 3. Three written assignments related to course project (30 percent; 10 percent each) 4. Reaction papers related to assigned readings (15 percent) 5. Participation (5 percent) -Formal in-class presentation of course group project -Mandatory participation in class group exercises and discussions -Mandatory attendance in class Classroom Etiquette. Cell phones (including texting) must be turned off while you are in the classroom. Computers are not to be used for non class-related purposes during class time. Required Textbooks Clifford, Nicholas J. and Gill Valentine. 2003. Key Methods in Geography. Sage Publications. This textbook will be available at the Livingston bookstore by mid September. If needed, I will make the first weeks’ readings available on pdf via the Sakai site. Trochin, William M. 2005. The Research Methods: The Concise Knowledge Base. Atomic Dog Publishing. This is an on-line textbook which you will need to purchase through a web site: www.atomicdog.com, course ID: 2612463702070. I recommend 1

REVISED 8/28/2009

Professor Robin Leichenko Geography 330/Fall 2009

purchasing only the online version of the book. You also have the option of purchasing the paperback and online versions together through the web site. Required Computer Account This course requires students to purchase a computer account in the Geography teaching lab. There is a $25.00 lab fee for this account. This fee provides access to specialized GIS software that is not available in the public computer labs. The fee also includes printing of 200 black and white laser pages and 20 color pages. Sign-up forms will be distributed on the first day of class and must be returned with the $25.00 fee by September 14 (the second day of class). The fee can be paid via a check made out to Dept. of Geography Department or via a money order that you buy from the post office. We cannot accept cash. Put the fee in a sealed envelop with the sign-up form and write your name and Geography 330, Fall 2009 on the outside of the envelope. Envelopes will be collected in class on September 14. Key Dates: October 12 October 19 November 2 November 16 November 23 December 7

Midterm I Assignment 1 is due Assignment 2 is due Assignment 3, surveys are due Midterm II In-class presentations of group project results Assignment 3, final write-up is due

Reaction Papers Reaction papers are written in response to that week’s reading assignment. The papers should be one page long and should present your views, thoughts, and questions on the reading. Reaction papers will be graded on a check, check-plus, or check-minus basis. We will also use the reaction papers as a basis for class discussion of the readings. Reaction papers are due every week except when there is a midterm or another assignment due. Late reaction papers will not be accepted except in the event of religious observance, documented illness, or documented family emergency. Assignments and Course Group Project The three assignments in the class will each correspond to one part of the course group research project. Assignments will be distributed in class and posted on the course web site. All written assignments are handed-in individually. This means that you will work with your group in executing parts of the group project and in the group presentation of the results, but the written assignments must be your own work. Late assignments will not be accepted except in the event of religious observance, documented illness, or documented family emergency. Policy regarding Missed Exams Make-up exams will not be given except in the event of religious observance, documented illness, documented family emergency, or documented Rutgers team event.

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REVISED 8/28/2009

Professor Robin Leichenko Geography 330/Fall 2009

Weekly Schedule and Reading Assignments Course web site: Use your Rutgers net id and password to log-in: https://sakai.rutgers.edu/portal/site/!gateway/page/!gateway-100 Week 1 (Sep 8)

Introduction: Thinking about Research in Geography

Week 2 (Sep 14)

Thinking about Research in Geography Assigned Reading: CV, Chap 1 and Troch, Chap. 1 (Parts 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 and 1-5) Lab fees due. Reaction paper 1 due

Week 3 (Sep 21)

Ethics and Politics of Research Assigned Reading: CV, Chap 3; Troch, Chap 1 (Part 1-4). Reaction paper 2 due

Week 4 (Sept 28)

Planning a Research Project and Discussion of Course Group Projects Assigned Reading: On line readings on climate change and the New Jersey/NY metro region Reaction paper 3 due

Week 5 (Oct 5)

Description and Mapping of Quantitative Data Assigned Reading: CV, Chap 5, Chap 19; Troch, Chap 11 (Parts 11-2 and 11-3) GIS mapping tutorial Assignment 1 will be distributed Reaction paper 4 due

Week 6 (Oct 12)

First Midterm Individual Work on Assignment 1

Week 7 (Oct 19)

Analysis of Quantitative Data Assigned Reading: CV, Chap 21, Troch, Chap 12 (Parts 12-1 and 12-2) SAS tutorial Assignment 2 will be distributed Assignment 1 due.

Week 8 (Oct 26)

Collecting Primary Data for Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis Assigned Reading: CV, Chap 13, 14, 15; Troch Chap 2 Reaction paper 5 due

Week 9 (Nov 2)

Survey Techniques Assigned Reading: CV, Chap 6, Troch, Chap 4, Chap 5 (Part 5.1, 5.2) Assignment 3 parts 1 and 2 will be distributed Assignment 2 is due.

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REVISED 8/28/2009

Professor Robin Leichenko Geography 330/Fall 2009

Week 10 (Nov 9)

Qualitative Data Analysis Assigned Reading: CV, Chap 8, 9; Troch, Chap 6 Group work on survey and plan for data collection during the week of Nov 9. All surveys need to be completed and brought to class on Nov 16. Reaction paper 6 due

Week 11 (Nov 16)

Qualitative Data Interpretation Assigned Reading: CV, Chap 10, 28 Assignment 3, surveys are due.

Week 12 (Nov 23)

Second Midterm Group work on processing of survey data from Assignment 3

Week 13 (Nov 30)

Presenting Research Findings Group presentation assignment will be distributed

Week 14 (Dec 7)

Group In-class Presentations of Assignment 3 Research Results Assignment 3, final write-up is due.

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