Research Methods and Techniques in Geography

Code:

GEOGR071

Acronym:

MTG

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geography
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Geography

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
GEOGR	100	GEOGR - Study Plan	1	-	6	4

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The main goal of the course is to introduce students to quantitative analysis and to outline the fundamental concepts and tools of statisctics applied to the social sciences.
The course also provides a first approach to data analysis using SPSS, exploring basic features of the software, such as editing and transforming data and describing unidimensional variables.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the semester students should be able to: - Use the concepts of descriptive statistics and apply knowledge - Using the concepts of Inferential Statistics and apply knowledge - Collect and analyze data so that they can be exploited statistically - Applying Statistics Social Sciences and particularly in Geographical Analysis - Use tools (Excel and SPSS).

Working method

Presencial

Program

1 - General 1.1 Introduction - Purpose of Statistics 1.2 - Classification of Data (Qualitative and Quantitative) 1.3 - Scales of Measure 1.4 - Odds 1.5 - Frequency Distributions 1.6 - Combinatorial Analysis 2 - 2.1 Descriptive Statistics - Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion 2.2 - mean Deviation and standard Deviation 2.3 - Discrete Distributions - Binomial 2.4 - Continuous Distributions - Normal / Chi-Square / Student t 3 - Graphical Representation of Distributions 3.1 - Frequency Tables 3.2 - 3.3 Linear Graphs - Histograms 3.4 - Time Series 3.5 - medium furniture 4 - Inferential Statistics 4.1 - Sampling Theory 4.2 - Estimation Theory 4.3 - Statistical Decision Theory 4.4 - Hypothesis Tests 4 - data Modelling 5 - Index Numbers 6 - Cluster Analysis.

Mandatory literature

PESTANA, Maria Helena; João Nunes GAGEIRO; Análise de Dados para Ciências Sociais, Edições Sílabo,, 1998. ISBN: ISBN: 972-618-181-X
HAINAUT Louis D; Conceitos e Métodos da Estatística, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian,, 1997. ISBN: ISBN: 972-31-0533-0
MAROCO João; Regina BISPO; Estatística Aplicada às Ciências Sociais e Humanas,, CLIMPSI Editores, 2003. ISBN: ISBN: 972-796-065-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

- Lectures exposure - Practical classes of application of acquired knowledge using the tools (Excel and SPSS). - Working group information collection, statistical analysis, analysis of results

Software

SPSS
Excel

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	62,00
Total:	62,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Theoretical 50%: final exam 50% Laboratory work: work. Minimum score 7.5 in each component (theoretical and practical)

Examinations or Special Assignments

Practical Component: - Information Retrieval (a questionnaire or survey information) and the appropriate statistical and graphical. - Analysis of statistical information the Census of Population (descriptive and inferential statistics) and analysis of results.