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Coordinator: Prof Ian Meiklejohn with contributions from all Geography Staff
Coordinator: Prof Ian Meiklejohn with contributions from all Geography Staff
This course is compulsory for all Honours Students.
The purpose of the Research Philosophy and Methodology course is to develop your understanding of the discipline's philosophies and methodologies. One of the course's objectives is to provide students with the necessary theoretical context and framework for undertaking research in Geography and in Environmental Water Management. In the Honours year, a significant focus is the Honours Research Project, which is undertaken utilising accepted disciplinary norms.
There are several class activities and assignments spread over five weeks. The activities and assignments have been designed to guide you through scientific research, the disciplines of Geography and Environmental Water Management. A key component of the course is the compilation of your research proposal. In addition to interactive class activities, the course is supported by readings and online engagements, which will be completed individually.
For those new to studying at Rhodes University, this course also serves to introduce you to our systems and teaching methods. You will receive guidance on our online learning platform, RUConnected, and the library, including information on the use of artificial intelligence and strategies for preventing plagiarism.
Outcomes
Outcomes
Understanding different approaches to research and selecting the most appropriate one for your research project.
Being able to identify appropriate literature and other sources for your particular research project.
Explain relationships between ideology, epistemology, ontology and methodology of selected research work.
Demonstrate that you can interpret your own and other people's work by making appropriate knowledge and value claims.
Demonstrate an ability to design a methodology and/or methodologies through which information can be collected accurately and consistently.
Select an appropriate technique from a range of methods for analysing and transforming information.
Produce a written research proposal that contains consistent and appropriate concepts, theories and methods and which is presented in a scientifically acceptable form.
Assessment
Assessment
Coursework (75%):
Coursework (75%):
Research approaches (10%);
Research sources (10%);
Setting (10%);
Research context (10%)
Research Proposal (25%);
Proposal Presentation (10%).
Examination (25%):
Examination (25%):
Portfolio of Evidence to be submitted in November.
Programme
Programme
The programme is still being put together as it is changing from previous years. It will include the following broad topics:
Research - what is it and why is it necessary?
How to undertake a research project.
Identifying sources for your research.
The role of AI in research. Includes subject material on what is allowed and what is not allowed.
Approaches to research:
The scientific method.
Differences between qualitative and quantitative methods and analyses.
When and how to use statistics.
Research ethics and getting ethical approval for your research.
Setting the scene: presenting the geographical setting, necessary details and maps for your study area.
How to present, analyse and discuss your research results and produce a conclusion.
Geography and Environmental Water Management: theoretical constructs.
In all the topics above, the context will be the individual research projects.
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