Practical 2

University of Maiduguri

Faculty of Social Sciences

GEO 206: Statistics for Geographers             (2 Units C: LH 30)

Reference: Page 276 Environmental Sciences CCMAS

Lecturer: Professor Muhammad Waziri

Introduction

Quantification has become an important aspect of research in geography. Data are collected, presented and analyzed in various aspects of geographical studies.  This course introduces the students to various statistical methods and techniques of geographic research.

Objectives

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

·         use statistics in geographic research;

·         Collect, present and analyze geographical data on the field  

·         Take sample from a given population in various aspects of geographical study;

·         Present and analyze geographical data in appropriate statistical techniques

·          apply descriptive and inferential statistics in geographic research.

COURSE OUTLINE

UNIT                      CONTENT

TOPIC 1 The place of statistics in geography;

What is the relevance of statistics in collecting, presenting and analyzing geographical data

Topic 2 Data description and characteristics;

Geographical data are generated in various aspect of geographic studies. Explain the nature and characteristics of geographical data

Topic 3  Discrete and continuous variables,

Identify and explain the relationship between the individual variable within a data set in relation to the subject of studies. Give examples with temperature and population.

Topic 4 Data Scales,

Scaling is a fundamental aspect of geographical study. Explain how to present a summary of data set using scale in large data set. Explain range of a data set, class interval in grouped data

Topic 5 Frequency distributions and graphical presentation;

Explain how to generate and draw up frequency tables. Explain how to present data in graphical form such as bar charts and histograph

Topic 6 Measures of central tendency and variability.

Explain what is a central tendency in a data set. How to find the mean, median and mode of a distribution. Explain the variance and standard deviation from the mean in a data set

Topic 7  Methods of sampling; spatial sampling,

Identify the various types of sampling technique. Explain when and how to use Random sampling, Stratified sampling and systematic sampling in selecting samples in a population.

Topic 8 description of point patterns and nearest neigbour analysis,

Explain the point patterns in the distribution of geographical phenomena over space. Use the nearest neighbor analysis technique in explaining the relation between points in spatial distribution.

Course Assessment: Attendance        5%

                                 Class work            25%

                                 Examination        70%

Assignment  students will submit three assignments on practice questions given in the classroom at least once every two weeks

Course textbook Augustine C Eziashi and Tolulope Lawrence Akingogun, (2023)  NUC CCMAS Series Fundamentals of Environmental Sciences Book 1, Abuja NUC

Office location:   Muhammad Waziri Room B 4, Geography Complex

Lecture Room:     Room C3 Department of Geography Complex

Lecture Hours:    2-4 pm on Tuesdays for onsite, virtual as announced

Office Hours:       8—10am. Monday to Friday