Geography 380: Research Methods in Geography

Spring, 2007 Course Outline

Lectures Tuesday & Thursday, 11:00 to 12:15 a.m.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Fritz C. Kessler

OFFICE: 230 Gunter Hall

OFFICE HOURS:

• Monday & Wednesday 11:00 – noon

• Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

• Friday noon – 11:00 p.m.

• Or, by appointment

PHONE: My Office: (301) 687-4266; Geography Department: (301) 687-4369

EMAIL: fkessler@frostburg.edu

TEXTS

Required

Rogerson, P. 2006.  Statistical Methods for Geography. 2^nd Ed. Sage Publications. Thousand Oaks :CA.

Course Description

Examines qualitative and quantitative methods for handling geo-spatial data.  Design of geographic research, approaches to data collection and synthesis, inferential and descriptive geo-spatial statistics, and presentation of findings.  Spring.  Prerequisites: GEOG 275 and 9 hrs. of geography, or permission of instructor.

Course Structure

Throughout the semester, I will use a combination of lectures, in-class demonstrations, computer exercises, and lab/take home assignments to help convey the purpose and utility of statistical methods. 

Lectures will explain the theory, concepts and principles of various methods by drawing from your texts and real-life examples.  In-class demonstrations and computer exercises will help convey the mechanics of working through various techniques.  Take home assignments will help you solidify and explore various problems that a researcher encounters in applying a specific technique to help answer a question.  Weekly lab assignments will provide you with the ability to apply information learned during the lectures.  The take home/lab assignments will explain the software operations and concepts necessary to complete the assignments. 

The readings come directly from the text.  However, there may be some additional handouts that I distribute during class.  I assume that, as the semester progresses, you will keep up with the reading material and will regularly attend the lectures and labs.  I will not use the lecture as a refresher for those who are negligent in their attendance or reading assignment responsibilities.

Your active participation in the lecture and lab is paramount to increasing your comprehension of the material covered in this course.  Ask if you don’t know, question what you don’t understand.  I guarantee that if you are having difficulty, then someone else is too and asking the instructor can only clarify the material for everyone.  Because you must be prepared for each week's discussions (primarily through the readings) it is expected that everyone will contribute to the class discussion each Tuesday and Thursday. 

For this semester I am using SPSS as the statistical software for this class.  You must use SPSS for all homework assignments.  SPSS is available in all PC computer labs in Pullen Hall as well as the labs in Gunter Hall.  I will demonstrate how to access, use, and interpret the output of SPSS during portions of class time throughout the semester. 

This course has three objectives:

1.      To introduce a broad perspective on several descriptive and inferential quantitative and qualitative methods commonly used in geography;

2.      To develop your ability to select the proper methods of analyzing a particular dataset;

3.      To develop your ability to interpret the results of analyzing a particular dataset.

Evaluation

Your grade will be a function of your performance on two (2) exams, one (1) final project, seven (7) computer-based lab exercises, and two (2) final project deadlines.  You should consider these evaluation methods as a diagnostic tool not only to track your progress throughout the course, but also for me to assess your individual strengths and weakness.

The number of cumulative points that you obtain throughout the course will determine your grade for the course.  Course grading is based on an absolute percentage and will NOT follow a "modified curve" format wherein overall class performance sets the grade levels.  

I expect that all assignments will be turned in on time.  If not, I will deduct 10% per day from the total points possible for the assignment.  For instance, each day you fail to turn in an assignment, you loose 2 points (up to 10 days).  After the 10-day limit, you receive no points for that assignment.  Further, any assignment that you fail to turn in by the end of the semester, you will have 20 points deducted from your overall total.  In addition, once you turn an assignment in and receive a grade for it, there are no opportunities for re-doing that assignment.  You have one chance to finish an assignment, so make it count!

Guidance and preliminary evaluation will be provided with each assignment that is returned to you.  On-going expectations will be discussed along the way. You will receive continual feedback on your performance.  You are encouraged to visit with the instructor regarding your progress at any time during the semester.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes deal with achieving a sound statistical understanding as well as becoming proficient in its basic theory, methods, and applications.  See the Course Objectives section printed in each lab handout concerning specific detailed learning outcomes. 

By the end of the semester you should:

1.      Be conversant with basic statistical terms and theory;

2.      Understand the range of statistical methods that are available and their assumptions;

3.      Be able to select an appropriate statistical method from those covered in class for a given data set;

4.      Be able to apply a given statistical test on a data set;

5.      Understand how to interpret the results produced by the statistical test;

6.      Know basic operations of the software used during the semester that are capable of performing various statistical methods.

Special Notes

·        Attendance is crucial and imperative.  Due to the nature of the course and with its heavy and progressive workload, there is no room or time for make-up work, extra credit, or even extensions.  Individual assistance is always available, but individual allowances to make up for an unexcused absence are not.  Although special circumstances can (and will) be considered prior to the need, allowances will be toward those who make arrangements with me on an individual basis.  While the course remains flexible for the class and some changes are likely to occur to accommodate learning, please do not seek special allowance for personal problems.

·        Attendance is mandatory for Tuesday and Thursday class time.

·        Reading must be done in advance as assigned.  The normal expectation will be that each student has read the assignment and is prepared for class.  I extend no sympathy for the unprepared (and neither will your future employer).

·        All students are advised against knowingly and willingly falsifying, plagiarizing, or participating in any form of academic dishonesty.  I will go to great lengths to ensure that those who participate in such activities will be disciplined to the fullest extent of my abilities. 

Final Project

The final project is designed to allow you the opportunity to engage in some statistical analysis on a data set of your choosing.  For the final project you will perform a multiple regression analysis on a specific data set.  You are responsible for coming up with a suitable question, collect the appropriate data that will help answer your question, perform the statistical analysis, and interpret the results.  You will present your findings to the class during the last two days of the semester and on the day of the final.  For the final project presentations, you are expected to be in attendance and actively participate in the discussions.  More details on the final project and my expectations will be distributed in class as the semester progresses.  If you miss any of the final presentation days for any reason, you will have 20 points deducted from your overall course grade…no exceptions!

Disruptive Student Behavior in the Classroom

The university will not tolerate disorderly or disruptive conduct, which substantially threatens, harms, or interferes with university personnel or orderly university processes and functions.  A faculty member may require a student to leave the classroom when his/her behavior disrupts the learning environment of the class.  A student found responsible for disruptive behavior in the classroom may be administratively withdrawn from the course (from the student code of conduct).

The Workload in this Class

The nature of quantitative methods demands considerable time investment for learning the terms, principles, operations, and applications.  Consequently, successful students typically put in many hours of learning and performance each week in order to accomplish demonstrated comprehension in their assignments.  Typically, you will not be able to finish the lab assignments during the scheduled lab time. 

Please note the heavy outside workload that is inherent in this course.  Most of the outside time will be spent at the computer and can be enjoyable for the most part, despite occasional episodes of operational frustration.  The primary guiding factors for learning and quality performance will be personal commitment, motivation, self-discipline, maturity, and a positive attitude.

My Role to the Class

I am responsible to teach and to facilitate learning and performance in this course.  I remain dedicated to helping each student achieve a high level of competence in quantitative methods.  Availability, patience, and fairness are the principal guidelines I use in this course.  My mission is to teach quantitative methods and to facilitate learning as well as to aid in technical facility and achieving quality production.  I will go to great lengths to help you understand either a conceptual or technical issue with which you may be having difficulty.

Your Role in the Class

Each student has the major responsibility for his/her education.  It is the student's role to have personal responsibility for learning the course material and achieving the stated course objectives.  Therefore, this course is a partnership between instructor and students-both have responsibility for your success.  You will undoubtedly experience difficulty with some aspect of the course (either a conceptual or technical issue) at some point during the semester.  It is your responsibility to try every means possible to resolve the problem.  This includes seeking out the assistance of your fellow classmates (which I strongly urge you to get to know) and the instructor.  Ultimately, it is your responsibility to keep current with the readings, complete all assignments on time, and attend class. 

Required Materials

Most of this course will involve computer resources.  As such, you are recommended to purchase a CD-RW, CD-R, or thumb drive.  This storage device will serve as a backup of all your work.  You should also acquire a scientific calculator.  You might also read the user’s guide of your new (or existing) calculator and check if there are any statistical functions available.  Many scientific calculators have rudimentary statistical functions available.  Additional materials may be required as the semester progresses, but you will be advised in advance of any additional course materials needed.

A Note on Inclement Weather

Due to the geographic location of this university, often the weather forces a cancellation of classes.  When this happens, students usually revel in the matter; however, the cancellation creates havoc with a course’s schedule.  In the event of inclement weather events/topics scheduled for that day will be postponed to the next time class meets.  For example, if an exam was scheduled for a Tuesday (and that day’s class was canceled) the exam will be held on Thursday.

Last updated 1/07