London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

157 Independent geographical study

Prerequisites
If taken as part of a BSc degree 148 Methods of geographical analysis.

Aims and objectives
This unit provides essential guidance for students so that they can undertake a research project or dissertation in geography. It offers instruction on how students can undertake geographical research themselves (as opposed to simply reading that of others), putting into practice some of the methodological skills developed in other units. Specifically, the unit’s aims are:
􀂃 To provide students with the opportunity to put their previous study of research methods into practice by producing an original piece of geographical research, on a topic that relates to their interests and expertise.
􀂃 To develop students’ capacity for independent study and self management through designing and executing a study from start to finish.
􀂃 Through reflexive engagement with the research process, to enable students to better assess the strengths and weaknesses of other research and scholarship,
such as that which they may encounter through further academic study or in the future workplace.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit, having completed the learning activities and essential reading, as well as undertaking their own independent geographical study, students should be able to:
􀂃 Identify and select original and intellectually worthwhile topics and questions for geographical research.
􀂃 Contextualise research topics and questions within wider geographical scholarship, through the identification and critical review of research literature and the application of theoretical ideas and understanding.
􀂃 Plan and design a research project relevant to their specific geographical expertise and interests, including selecting an appropriate research
methodology and conceptual framework, and writing a research proposal.
􀂃 Undertake and manage a programme of research, appropriate to the time and resources available. This will include the selection of data sources, data collection and undertaking the analysis and interpretation of findings.
􀂃 Write up the research in the form a project report, demonstrating the contribution of the research to wider geographical scholarship.

Syllabus
Students must produce a final project report of between 8,000 and 10,000 words.
The focus and scope of the project is a matter of individual student choice, but it must have a strong geographical dimension that can be related to wider issues and debates in the field. Allowing for a range of different topics and questions, the unit will guide students through the research process.
Students will be expected to undertake important tasks and activities associated with each stage of the research process (such as identifying topics, critically reviewing research literatures, developing methodologies and theoretical frameworks) as described in the learning outcomes. To demonstrate their critical engagement with this research process, students will also submit a project management portfolio for assessment alongside the final project report.
Assessment
􀂃 Students must produce a final project report of between 8,000 and 10,000 words. This report is worth 90% of the overall marks for the unit.
􀂃 Along with their final project report, students must also produce a project management portfolio, containing a project proposal, timetable, risk
assessment and, for any project involving research with human subjects, a research ethics review. This portfolio is worth 10% of the overall marks for the unit; further guidance on the format of the portfolio is provided in the unit study guide.
􀂃 Students must submit an evaluation form, where they reflect upon the skills they have developed, their key achievements and what lessons they have learned from undertaking their research project.
􀂃 The project report, project management portfolio and evaluation form must be submitted both as hard-copy and online in electronic format and may be screened by plagiarism detection software.

Essential reading
Flowerdrew, R. and Martin, D. Methods in Human Geography: A Guide for
Students Doing a Research Project (Harlow: Pearson, 2005) [ISBN
0582473217].
Parsons, T. and Knight, P. How to do your Dissertation in Geography and Related
Disciplines (London: Taylor and Francis, 2004) [ISBN 9780415341554]
All information in this document is subject to confirmation in the 2008-09 Programme Regulations for degrees
and diplomas in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences that are reviewed annually.