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Lecturer(s)
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Fiedor David, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
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Kovařík Filip, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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The course covers three basic subject areas in which students are gradually introduced to the research process in geography, data collection, and subsequently data analysis. 1) Logic of Geographical Research (weeks 1-4) Geography as a science; types of geographical research; from topic to research question; hypotheses and research objectives; types of research design; quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research; research ethics. 2) Data Collection in Geographical Research (weeks 5-10) Operationalisation and measurement scales; validity and reliability; sample and representativeness; probability and non-probability sampling strategies; questionnaire surveys question types, design, piloting; standardised interview; structured observation; field measurement in physical geography. 3) Data Processing and Interpretation (weeks 11-13) Data matrix structure and construction; variable coding; data checking and cleaning; descriptive statistics; frequency tables; data visualisation; working in MS Excel; inquiry-based activities with geographical data in teaching.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
- Attendace
- 26 hours per semester
- Semestral Work
- 24 hours per semester
- Homework for Teaching
- 10 hours per semester
- Preparation for the Exam
- 30 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the course is to equip students future geography teachers with a fundamental understanding of the logic of scientific geographical research and the ability to work with quantitative data. Graduates of the course understand how scientific geographical knowledge is produced, can critically assess the credibility of information and research findings, and are able to transfer research-based thinking into secondary school geography teaching through simple inquiry-based activities. The course fulfils competencies for teacher graduates particularly in the area of understanding how scientific knowledge is produced in the taught subjects and critically evaluating information sources (1.1.3), in the area of didactic transformation of content and creating opportunities for inquiry-based learning (1.2.2), and in the area of responsible work with information and reliable sources (6.2.3).
Upon completion of the course, the student: - explains the basic logic of scientific geographical research and is oriented in types of research designs (competency framework: 1.1.3); - describes the key data collection methods in quantitative geographical research and their methodological prerequisites (competency framework: 1.1.1, 1.1.3); - clarifies the principles of operationalisation, sampling and data quality assurance (competency framework: 1.1.3, 6.2.3); - formulates a research question and proposes an appropriate research design for a selected geographical problem (competency framework: 1.1.3, 6.1.2); - constructs a functional questionnaire with correctly formulated questions of various types (competency framework: 1.1.1, 1.1.3); - codes data and builds a data matrix in MS Excel (competency framework: 6.2.3); - calculates basic descriptive statistics and creates graphs suitable for presenting geographical data (competency framework: 1.1.3, 6.2.3); - designs a simple inquiry-based activity for secondary school pupils using geographical data (competency framework: 1.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.3.2).
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Prerequisites
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Basic knowledge of geography at the level of the first year of bachelor's study. No prior knowledge of statistics or research methodology is required.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Mark, Written exam, Student performance
Regular attendance at classes, completion of assignments by the specified deadlines, and a score of at least 60% on the written exam. a) Ongoing assignments from the course: Students must submit all assigned tasks (preparation of a research design, a completed questionnaire, and a data matrix with basic statistical outputs from Microsoft Excel) via Moodle. Assessment: Pass/Fail with written feedback. These ongoing assignments demonstrate the ability to prepare a survey, apply research methods in practice, and work responsibly with data. (Link to the Competency Framework: 1.1.3, 1.2.2, 6.1.2, 6.2.3) b) Active participation in exercises: develops the ability to critically evaluate research methods, discuss geographic data, and work with reliable sources of information. (Link to the Competency Framework: 1.1.3, 6.2.3) c) Written exam: The final exam assesses students' knowledge of key concepts, methodological principles, and basic data interpretation. The minimum passing score is 60%. To be eligible to take the exam, students must have fulfilled the credit requirements. (Link to the Competency Framework: 1.1.3, 6.2.3)
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Recommended literature
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Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford.
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Clifford, N., French, S., Valentine, G. (eds.). Key methods in geography. Los Angeles. 2010.
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Novotná, H., Špaček, O., Šťovíčková Jantulová, M. (2020). Metody výzkumu ve společenských vědách. Praha.
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