Geography 327 - Research Methods in Human Geography

GEOG 327 Research Methods in Human Geography - Syllabus

Geography 327 - Research Methods in Human Geography Instructor: Dr. Nicholas Lynch Office: B316, David Turpin Bldg. Phone: 250.853.3866 Email: [email protected] Lecture Schedule: LECTURE ~ Tuesday and Wednesday: 10:30 am - 11:20 am Cornett Building A128 WORKSHOP ~ Wednesday: 3:30 pm - 5:20 pm Business & Economics Building LAB TA: Sarah Brown Course Description: An overview of the theoretical and methodological foundations of qualitative research in the various fields of human geography. A range of paradigms (e.g., ethnography, action research, narrative analysis) and data collection techniques (e.g., questionnaire design, participant observation, focus groups, in-depth interviews) will be examined and applied to issues in human geography. 1


Course Evaluation

10%

10%

30%

30%

Participation Lab Assignments (3x10%) Assignment #1: Journal Review Assignment #2a: Research Report Assignment #2b: Report Presentation

20%

GRADE

Grade Point Value

Description

A+ A A-

9 8 7

Exceptional, outstanding and excellent performance. Normally achieved by a minority of students. These grades indicate a student who is self-initiating, exceeds expectation and has an insightful grasp of the subject matter.

B+ B B-

6 5 4

Very good, good and solid performance. Normally achieved by the largest number of students. These grades indicate a good grasp of the subject matter or excellent grasp in one area balanced with satisfactory grasp in the other area.

C+ C

3 2

Satisfactory, or minimally satisfactory. These grades indicate a satisfactory performance and knowledge of the subject matter.

D

1

Marginal Performance. A student receiving this grade demonstrated a superficial grasp of the subject matter.

F

0

Unsatisfactory performance. Wrote final examination and completed course requirements; no supplemental. 2


TEXTBOOK & READINGS ______________________________________________________________________ All readings in this course are based on two required sources: 1 - SAGE Handbook on Qualitative Geography (*referred to below as: SAGE); ; 2 - assorted journal/newspaper articles. Please note, the textbook is available on the library website (free!!). In an effort to reduce your costs this is the most economic way to get the readings (individually these texts are priced well over $200). SO... you are expected to retrieve these readings for each class, since the material in the readings will make an important part of exam content and will support lecture materials. Additionally, I will have certain journal articles available to download on the course Blackboard (see below). I will be specific about what pages to read and will highlight the most important sections during lectures: this should help you manage your reading during this course. Recommended Readings: The following are good additional sources should you need them: 1. Flowerdew, Robin & Martin, David (Eds.) (2005). Methods in human geography: a guide for students doing a research project, (2nd Ed.). Harlow, Prentice. 2. Hay, I. (Ed.) (2005). Qualitative research methods in human geography, (2nd Ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 222 pp. 3. Aitken, S. & Valentine, G. (Ed.s) (2006). Approaches to Human Geography. London: Sage Publications 4. Limb, M. & Dwyer, C. (Eds.) (2003). Qualitative methodologies for Geographers: Issues and debates. London: Arnold. 303 pp. 5. Creswell, J. (2007). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Traditions, (2nd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 6. Bryman, Alan, Teevan, James and Bell, Edward. 2012. Social Research Methods: Third Canadian Edition. Toronto: Oxford University Press. COURSE WEBSpace ______________________________________________________________________ In this course we will be using the Moodle system. All assignments, lectures, reading resources and major announcements will be housed on this webspace. It is mandatory to use this space for the course. If you have any troubles connecting or navigating the site please let me know!

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SCHEDULE & READINGS ______________________________________________________________________ The required readings for each day are outlined below. To help you manage your time, I emphasize specific page ranges. I recommend you complete the required readings before each day’s lecture.

Week 1: Sept 4

Welcome to Geog 327: Research Methods No Readings

Week 2: Sept 10, 11

Workshop Introduction to research

Qualitative Research and Proposals

Reading

SAGE: Chapter 1 Introduction

Reading

SAGE: Chapter 2 (esp from: Historical Context: Forces of Production of Geographic Knowledge)

Reading

The Research Proposal in Thirteen Parts (Moodle)

Week 3: Sept 17, 18

The Politics of Doing Research

Reading

SAGE: Chapter 5

Reading

Katz, C., "Playing the field: questions of fieldwork in geography." The Professional Geographer 46.1 (1994): 67-72.

Workshop

Tools and methods in qualitative research (1st Assignment: Presentation of research tool - 10%)

Workshop

Critical literature review, components of research proposal

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Week 4: Sept 24, 25 Reading

Doing Research I: The Questionnaire

Workshop

McLafferty, S., 2010, ‘Conducting Questionnaire Surveys’, in Clifford, Nicholas, Shaun French, and Gill Valentine, eds. Key methods in geography. Sage, 2010. (Moodle)

Research proposal writing workshop.

Reading

Madge, C, and H. O’Connor. "On-line with emums: Exploring the internet as a medium for research." Area 34.1 (2002): 92-102.

Optional Reading

Winchester, H. "Interviews and Questionnaires as Mixed Methods in Population Geography: The Case of Lone Fathers in Newcastle, Australia." The professional geographer 51.1 (1999): 60-67.

Week 5: Oct 1, 2

Doing Research II: The Interview

Reading

SAGE Chapter 9

Reading

Rofe, M, 2003. ‘I want to be global: Theorizing the gentrifying class as an emergent elite global community’, Urban Studies, 40(12),pp.2511-2526

Week 6: Oct 8, 9

Doing Research III: Ethnography

Reading

SAGE Chapter 7

Reading

Crang, P., 1994. ‘It’s Showtime: On the workplace geographies of display in a restaurant in southeast England’, Environment and Planning D, 12, pp. 675-704.

Reading

Workshop Oral presentation of research proposals: (2nd Assignment: Presentation of research proposal 10%)

Workshop

Data collection theory – Assigned readings and class discussion

Pottie-Sherman, Y., forthcoming, Vancouver’s Chinatown Night Market: Gentrification and the perception of Chinatown as a form of revitalization, Built Environment.

5


Guest Lecture"

Dr. Yolande Pottie-Sherman, “On doing Ethnography in the City”

Week 7: Oct 15, 16

Doing Research IV: The Focus Group

Reading

SAGE Chapter 11

Reading

Brownlow, Alec. "A geography of men’s fear." Geoforum 36.5 (2005): 581-592.

Week 8: Oct 22, 23

Workshop

Data collection applied, model of an interview

Doing Research V: Landscape Analysis

Reading

SAGE Chapter 13

Reading

Goss, Jon. "The “magic of the mall”: An analysis of form, function, and meaning in the contemporary retail built environment." Annals of the Association of American Geographers 83.1 (1993): 18-47.

Optional Reading

Workshop

Conduct sample focus group with class.

Duncan, J, 2008. Duncan, James S. "From discourse to landscape: a kingly reading." The cultural geography reader. Critical Journal Review Due Oct 23rd

Week 9: Oct 29, 30

Doing Research VI: Content/Textual Analysis

Reading

SAGE Chapter 15

Reading

Lynch, N. 2013, ‘Divine Living: Marketing and Selling Churches as Lofts in Toronto, Canada’, Housing, Theory and Society,

Optional Reading

Workshop

Data analysis

Dowling, Robyn. "Symbolic constructions of place in suburban Surrey, British Columbia." Canadian Geographer 40.1 (1996): 75-87.

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Week 10: Nov 5, 6

Research Analysis

Reading

SAGE Chapter 6

Reading

Robbins, P and J. Sharp, 2003. ‘Producing and Consuming Chemicals: The Moral Economy of the American Lawn’, Economic Geography, 79(4) pp.425-451.

Week 11: Nov 12, 13

Reading

Week 13: Nov 26, 27 Reading

Writing workshop on research report

Reading Week No Readings

Week 12: Nov 19, 20

Workshop

Workshop NO WORKSHOP

Writing Qualitative Research SAGE: Chapter 19

Workshop Peer review of research reports (3rd Assignment: Draft research report critique - 10%)

Reviews and Conclusions SAGE: Chapter 20

Workshop Research Report Presentations (10%)

Research Report Due Dec 4th

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ASSIGNMENTS ______________________________________________________________________ Assignment #1 - Critical Research Journal Review (value: 20%) Due October 23rd, at the start of class. An important part of any research study is a critical evaluation of pertinent sources and methodologies. Depending on the research topic, most published literature will provide detail of the methodological process - a practice which lends credibility, replicability, and, clarity to any worthwhile analysis. In this assignment, you will choose a research article to critically review. You are asked to ‘deconstruct’ and evaluate the research methodology and the outcomes of the specific research. Note that this is not a summary! Instead think of this a critical reflection of the methodological practice, the applicability of the research method(s), how the methodology influences specific research outcomes/analysis, etc (i.e. many of the issues discussed throughout the course). A successful review will also make use of at least two other sources in the evaluation. For these sources you are not expected to dig too deep, but having some comparative examples of how a particular methodology is implemented in different research contexts will be helpful. Essay requirements: max. 1500 words; citation style: APA Here are some general guidelines for the assignment (not exhaustive!): 1- General comments concerning the article: - Why you chose this article (note: some synergy is possible between this assignment and assignment #2); - Your interpretation of the value of the research/methodology; why is this valuable (or not) as geographical research. 2 - Evaluation of methodology and the resulting analysis/outcome: - Strengths and weaknesses of the methodology; - Evaluation of the impact of methodology on the research results (think positionality; politics; difference; class; race... etc). 3 - The value of the methodology for other research topics: - What else can we study with this methodology? - How might the research result be different with differing methods? - How might differing research questions/contexts result in different outcomes?

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Category

Mark

Analysis: Critical Comment and Thinking

10

Writing, Clarity

3

Connection to Class Materials

2

TOTAL

15%

Assignment #2 - Research Report and Presentation (value: 30% + 10% = 40%) Due December 4th In groups of two the students will conduct a small research project and write a report (max. 2500 words) on the specific research topic, under the overall thematic umbrella. The report follows the structure as outlined: I. Introduction II. Methodology III. Data analysis IV. Major findings V. Conclusions Report Presentation: The report will culminate in a relatively brief presentation during the lab session (Lab13).

Category

Mark

Analysis: Critical Comment and Thinking

20

Linkages and Connections to the course

5

Writing, Clarity

5

Presentation

10 TOTAL

40%

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COURSE POLICIES ______________________________________________________________________ 1. The lectures are held three times weekly, and I will be available after each lecture to answer questions in person. You can also come see me during office hours. You may e-mail me in regards to emergencies or issues of confidential nature. 2. All cell phones should be turned off before class begins. If the use of a computer facilitates your learning, feel free to bring a laptop to class. I will not tolerate use of computers during lectures for personal purposes such as e-mail, surfing the Internet, watching videos etc. 3. Some instructors have strict no food policies in their classrooms. I do not mind if you eat snacks in class. Personally I find small snacks help keep me focused during long lectures. However, be sensitive to other students in the room. It is hard to concentrate if the person beside you is devouring a quarter quicken with fries...use your common sense in deciding what an appropriate snack is for the classroom. 4. Speak to me if due to a medical condition or family emergency you require extension of the deadlines for assignments. There is a late penalty of 1% per school day of your final course grade (to a maximum of 20%) for late assignments. 5. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with UVic’s policy on plagiarism. Ask me if you are unsure whether you may be plagiarizing. 6. University can be a stressful experience. If you become overwhelmed by course work, feel free to speak to me about it. If necessary I also encourage you to take advantage of all the services UVic has to offer to assist you during your time here as a student.

Geography Department website: http://geography.uvic.ca GEOGPLAN degree planning guide: http://www.geog.uvic.ca/moodle [Log in as a guest] Undergraduate Advisor: Dr. Phil Wakefield ([email protected])

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