School of Physical and Geographical SciencesKeele University

GEG-30006 Double Dissertation

GEG-30008 Single Dissertation

Please read this Handbook carefully and refer to it throughout the period of your dissertation study. It contains important advice as

well as information about deadlines and what is expected from you.

This handbook is available on-line through the School web site http://www.esci.keele.ac.uk/students/

The Geography dissertation tutor for 2007-8 is:

Dr P. G. Knight Room F30, William Smith BuildingSchool of Physical and Geographical Sciences

Tel. 4304 e-mail: gga34@esci.keele.ac.uk

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Contents

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................3SUMMARY TIMETABLE...........................................................................................................3SUMMARY OF FORMAL REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................4DISSERTATION COMPONENTS IN GEG-20009........................................................................5

Introductory Talk by the Dissertation Tutor..............................................................................................5Form 1 Dissertation Topic Proposal....................................................................................................5Allocation of Dissertation Advisors.......................................................................................................... 5Form 2 Formal Research Proposal......................................................................................................7General Reading for Dissertation Planning..............................................................................................7

GEG-30006 DOUBLE DISSERTATION AND GEG-30008 SINGLE DISSERTATION......................8Form 3: Intermediate Report on Revisions and Progress.........................................................................8Final Dissertation.................................................................................................................................... 8

CHOOSING A TOPIC...............................................................................................................9Is it original?......................................................................................................................................... 10Is it feasible in the time available?......................................................................................................... 10Is it possible to obtain the necessary data?.............................................................................................10Is it ethical ?.......................................................................................................................................... 11Where shall I work?............................................................................................................................... 11Will my topic enable me to do a good dissertation?................................................................................12Is the topic likely to sustain my interest?................................................................................................13Working with outside agencies............................................................................................................... 13

RISK ASSESSMENT FOR DISSERTATIONS..............................................................................14PLANNING THE RESEARCH PROGRAMME...............................................................................18

Reviewing the literature......................................................................................................................... 18Formulating research questions............................................................................................................. 18Data Collection...................................................................................................................................... 19Data Analysis......................................................................................................................................... 21Writing................................................................................................................................................... 23

WRITING THE DISSERTATION...............................................................................................23Length.................................................................................................................................................... 23Data Presentation.................................................................................................................................. 24Style....................................................................................................................................................... 24References.............................................................................................................................................. 25Appendices............................................................................................................................................. 26

ACCESS TO PAST DISSERTATIONS.......................................................................................26PRESENTATION: THE TECHNICALITIES...................................................................................26ASSESSMENT......................................................................................................................27WHEN YOU NEED HELP........................................................................................................28IF WE NEED TO CONTACT YOU.............................................................................................29LEARNING OUTCOMES.........................................................................................................29APPENDICES.......................................................................................................................29

Geography Dissertation Marking Guidelines..........................................................................................30Geography Dissertation Examiner’s Report............................................................................................31

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INTRODUCTION

There are two Geography Dissertation modules available. GEG-30008 is a single-module dissertation. GEG-30006 is a double-module dissertation.

These are level-3 (3rd-year) modules, but students start work on them in the spring semester of 2nd-year so that data collection can be carried out during the summer vacation before 3 rd year if necessary.

Students on the Dual Honours Geography , Human Geography or Physical Geography courses may choose either the single or the double module and at level-3 (3rd year) take:

EITHER the single-module dissertation of 5,000 words + three taught modules OR the double-module dissertation of 10,000 words + two taught modules

Dual Honours Geography students must think carefully about whether to do a single or a double dissertation. You should opt for the double dissertation only if you and your advisor think that you have a sufficiently good topic and suitable approach.

Students on the Single Honours (Major) Geography or Physical Geography courses must take the double dissertation module + 6 additional Geography modules

Students on the MGeoscience course will not take a Geography Dissertation as part of their studies. However, students who take GEG-20009 but do not take a dissertation module will still be required to complete the Formal Proposal and Risk Assessment as part of GEG-2009

Summary Timetable

Activity Date

Introductory lecture January 2007, in your first GEG-20009 practical class

Submit Form 1 Dissertation Topic Proposal

Fri 9th February 2007 (3rd week of Spring semester).This allows an advisor to be assigned to your project

Submit Form 2 Formal Research Proposal & Risk Assessment (2 copies)

Thu 22nd March 2007 (9th week of Spring semester). This is assessed as part of GEG-20009. You need to state whether you plan a single or double dissertation.

Submit Form 3 Report on Progress

Fri 19th October 2007 (4th week after summer vac). Last opportunity (in emergency only) for single/double change.

Submit Dissertation Fri 14th March 2008 (8th week of Spring semester)

NB: All work should be submitted to the Earth Sciences and Geography Office. For details of each item see later in this handbook.

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Summary of Formal Requirements

The overall aim of the dissertation is: To give students the opportunity to carry out an original and independent research

project using appropriate literature, data sources and methodologies

More specifically the students’ objectives involve: Designing and conducting original research into a topic of the student’s own choice Undertaking a major, focused, literature review Collecting, collating, synthesising and analysing appropriate data Presenting a developed and consistent set of arguments Producing a well written, well illustrated dissertation Training to undertake research responsibly and safely.

Each student registered for a Geography degree is required to carry out and report a piece of independent research on a geographical topic: this is then presented as either a single, or a double, dissertation. Students will declare whether they intend to do a single or a double dissertation on the Option Choice Form that they submit in May of year 2. Work on the dissertation starts during the second year1, as a part of the practical class, when you will be asked to identify a topic, to complete a preliminary project design, and to submit a formal research proposal for assessment.

The dissertation is assessed in two parts. The Formal Research Proposal is submitted in the second year as a part of GEG-20009. It counts for approximately 20% of that module’s mark total. The final dissertation is submitted in March of the third year – the single dissertation is rated as 15 Keele Credits (7.5ECTS) and the Double Dissertation as 30 Keele credits (15 ECTS).

You are required: to choose a research topic; to compile a literature review; to devise a research strategy; to collect and analyse original data or to conduct original analysis on data drawn from existing sources; and to present a written report of your work and findings.

Two copies of the Formal Research Proposal marked with your own name and your advisor’s name, and each including a copy the risk assessment form, must be handed in to the School office on or before:

Thursday, 22nd March, 2007

One bound copy of the final dissertation, must be handed in to the Geo- office on or before:

Friday, 14th March 2008

You will also be required to submit an electronic version of your text, identical to the printed version, via WebCT. Details of how to submit this will be given during the Spring Semester of 2008.

1 Study abroad students: Any students spending the Spring semester of their second year studying abroad should see the Dissertation Tutor as soon as possible before leaving Keele.

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Dissertation components in GEG-20009

Introductory Talk by the Dissertation TutorAll students must attend one of these talks in the timetabled practical session in the

first week of teaching in January 2007. Form 1, the Dissertation Topic Proposal, will be issued at this meeting.

Form 1 Dissertation Topic ProposalFollowing the introductory talk you should read the section on Choosing a Topic in this handbook and think carefully about the topic you wish to address. Then begin to collect background material to enable you to complete Form 1 (Dissertation Topic Proposal). The information required on this form includes:

A provisional title for your dissertation A brief description of your research topic including key publications A broad indication of the proposed aims and objectives of the research An indication of the linkages between this research topic and current debates and/or

research in academic Geography An indication of the research methods you propose to use e.g. interviews, archival

research, aerial photograph analysis, geomorphological mapping, etc.

This information will be used to allocate you to a suitable dissertation advisor, usually selected from staff teaching on the Geography courses.

Form 1 must be handed in to the School office on or before the following date:

Friday 9th February 2007

Allocation of Dissertation AdvisorsEach student is allotted an advisor with whom to discuss research strategy, analysis and presentation of the work. Staff available to act as advisors this year include:

Dr. P. Adey: Cultural Geography, Mobility, Transport, Geography of Architecture, Air-mindedness

Dr. P. T. Kivell: Social Geography, Planning, Urban Geography

Dr. P. G. Knight: Physical Geography, especially field or laboratory studies in geomorphology and glaciology.

Mr. K. T. Mason: Human geography, including Geographical Information Systems. Research on various aspects of social geography including health, crime, deprivation and demography.

Dr. N. P. Mountney: Deserts, and aeolian landforms and processes. Tectonic geomorphology. Fluvial-aeolian sediments.

Dr. A. D. M. Phillips: Historical Geography. Rural settlement change, agricultural change, demographic change and migration, landscape development, development of cartography, the pre-industrial and industrial city, heritage studies. Field or document based studies in the UK and Western Europe.

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Dr. S. Quilley: Human Geography. Political economy. Globalisation and regeneration.

Dr. Z. P. Robinson:. Physical Geography, including water quality and weathering, hydrology/hydrogeology, environmental issues.

Dr. K. Szkornik: Physical Geography, especially sea-level change, Quaternary environments, coastal processes, salt marshes, diatom/microfossil analysis.

Dr. I Tomlinson: Environmental Human Geography, agriculture and food, environmental policy,

Dr. R.I. Waller:. Physical Geography, including both modern-day and Quaternary glacial and periglacial processes, geomorphology and natural hazards.

Dr A. Zieleniec. Social Geography. Urban Geography.

Your advisor will be allocated using the information that you give in Form 1 (Dissertation Topic Proposal) and will usually be the member of staff with interests closest to the field in which you have elected to work. If you later decide to change your topic it may be appropriate to change advisor - if this seems necessary then you should discuss it with your allocated advisor and the dissertation tutor.

The role of the advisor is: to monitor your progress via meetings and your submission of required forms to act as a discussant for your ideas on the development of the topic to discuss and assist in the solution of any problems encountered during the dissertation to provide feedback and advice on the writing up of the dissertation

Initial discussions will take place within the framework of the Practical Classes (GEG-20009) but advisors will also set their own times to see students, and the format of meetings will vary. Arrangements are publicised by email and/or on the Dissertation Notice Board located outside the Cope Laboratory. You should check this notice board regularly. Meetings are currently scheduled to take place during several weeks of GEG-20009 so you must ensure that you attend these. If a member of staff has another teaching commitment in this slot, an alternative time will be arranged. Thereafter, and during your third year, meetings are arranged as necessary.It is strongly recommended that you see your advisor regularly during the course of the dissertation. Key times are as follows:

1. In March of your second year after you are first allocated to an advisor.2. In sessions of GEG-20009 to discuss the research topic and preparation of Form 2.3. During the later timetabled sessions of GEG-20009 to discuss your plans for summer.

Your advisor will expect you to have done extensive reading of the literature by this stage. You will be expected to have substantially developed your ideas between the initial meeting in February and the meetings at the start of the summer term.

4. During October (of your third year) to discuss your progress so far and the production of Form 3.

5. During the autumn and/or spring of your third year to discuss the layout and structure of the final report

Staff will periodically place notices about meetings on the Dissertation notice board, so check that board regularly. Staff may also arrange meetings or answer queries via email.

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N.B. It is not the job of the advisor to chase up dissertation students who do not make, or fail to keep, appointments. The initiative in contacting the advisor lies with the student.

Form 2 Formal Research ProposalThe first assessed piece of work for your dissertation is the Formal Research Proposal. This is a short report (no more than 6 sides of A4 - word processed, not counting reference list or risk assessment) that details your plan for the dissertation. Form 2 consists of a cover sheet to which you must attach your report and the risk assessment. The information required includes:

background to the project and a short review of relevant literature specific aims and objectives of your research project proposed methodology and data sources a realistic research timetable details of field area (if appropriate) references

You must also attach a completed risk assessment form (proposals that do not include a risk assessment form will not be accepted for submission)

Writing the Formal Research Proposal will help you to formalise the scope and intent of your dissertation. A good Formal Research Proposal will show evidence that you have read and thought about the appropriate techniques and approaches to be used in your project.

You should submit two copies of your Formal Research Proposal (Form 2) to the Geo office on or before the following date: Thursday 22nd March 2007

The proposal is exempt from anonymous marking (Natural Sciences Course Development Sub-Committee Report to Academic Review Committee 15 Nov 2004), so you must put your name on it. Please make sure that all the pages ( including the risk assessment) are stapled together. You must obtain a receipt when you hand in the Proposal.

The Formal Research Proposal will be commented upon and marked by your dissertation advisor. One copy will be returned to you with comments for your reference, and your advisor will retain the other. You should make arrangements with your advisor to ensure that you receive feedback on the proposal before you start your fieldwork. If you receive a low mark, or a fail, for this proposal it should send you a sufficiently strong signal that your topic or approach may not be suitable. In this case a radical rethink, and possible a new topic, will be necessary. The mark for the dissertation proposal counts as one of the assessed elements of GEG-20009.

General Reading for Dissertation PlanningYou need to read about your topic and also about the techniques and approaches required to complete a dissertation successfully. Later in this handbook there are lists of references to literature that will help you with specific topics. Either of the following 2 books would be well worth purchasing as useful background.

Parsons, T. & Knight, P.G. 2005. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines. Routledge, London. 2nd Edition

Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. 2005. Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London ,2nd edition.

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GEG-30006 Double Dissertation and GEG-30008 Single Dissertation

The dissertation modules are 3rd-year modules, although they may involve field research and data gathering in the summer vacation between years 2 and 3. The mark for both modules is based upon your dissertation as finally presented, but you are also required to write a short intermediate report for your advisor at the beginning of the autumn semester (Form 3)

Form 3: Formal registration and Progress Report Immediately after the Summer at the start of year 3 you must provide your advisor with a short report (one or two sides of A4, word processed) outlining any changes made to the project since the completion of the Formal Research Proposal, the reasons for any changes, and the progress made in data collection, data analysis and writing up. Your report should also include a clear timetabled plan for the completion of the dissertation.

The report acts as a ‘bridge’ between your Formal Research Proposal and the Final Dissertation. It provides your advisor with information about your progress so far and may be used as evidence in the case of medical or other problems encountered during the final part of the dissertation period.

You must also at this stage complete Form 3, which is a formal registration of your research topic for the Dissertation module. You are required to state your dissertation title, and you must have your advisor sign your form to show that your title, and your progress report, are satisfactory. After your advisor has signed your form, you must submit the form to the School Office no later than:

Friday 19th October 2007.

Final Dissertation The Single Dissertation, GEG 30008, must not exceed 5,000 words in lengthThe Double Dissertation, GEG 30006, must not exceed 10,000 words in length

One copy of your final dissertation, in the format indicated below, should be handed in to the Geo office by the following date:

Friday 14th March 2008.

Your dissertation will be marked anonymously, so you must complete an anonymous marking form (supplied by the Geoschool Office) and obtain a receipt when you hand the work in. You will also be asked to complete a form declaring that the work is your own.

Late submission: If the work is incomplete in any way, it should be submitted anyway, as it stands. As you have over a year to prepare your dissertation, it is very unlikely that any extensions will be made to the stated deadline except in cases of real emergency. If you have medical reasons for late submission, you must speak to your advisor and provide the School with medical evidence IN ADVANCE of the submission deadline. If you anticipate any problems you should discuss them with your advisor and the dissertation tutor as soon as practicable. If anything interferes with your work on the dissertation at any time, including personal, financial or academic problems, it is essential that you tell your advisor and, if

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appropriate, complete an extenuating circumstances form (available from the School Office).

Dissertations submitted before the deadline will be marked out of 100% Dissertations submitted after the deadline, without good cause, will be limited to a

maximum mark of 40% Dissertations not submitted before the end of week 12 of the Spring semester will not be

marked and will receive 0%

You should produce two complete copies of your dissertation - one to keep for yourself and one to hand in to the examiners as, once submitted, dissertations are kept by the University for three years. Dissertations are not available to students after they have been submitted. You may need a copy of your dissertation, for example for job interviews or if you are called for a viva exam.

Choosing a Topic

Students on the Physical Geography or MGeoscience courses must choose a physical geography topic. Students on the Human Geography course must choose a human geography topic. Students on the Geography course may choose either a human or a physical geography topic. It is up to each student to devise their own topic. Advice and assistance will be provided by advisors. The choice of topic is one of the most critical stages of your dissertation; good dissertations only grew from good topics. Although the constraints on the choice of subject are few in theory, they are rather greater in practical terms; most notably in terms of time and finance. The subject of your dissertation should be appropriate to a Geography-related degree. The study must involve a measure of first-hand research i.e. it should not rely wholly on secondary sources, but should demonstrate competence in dealing with primary material appropriate to the topic. Above all you should have a clear view of what it is that you are trying to find out.

Some topics are more suitable for dissertations than others. As a general indication, there are some topics, such as questionnaires on bypasses and supermarkets, or descriptive studies of urban regeneration, that are difficult to handle imaginatively and usually produce unsatisfactory results. Impact studies are unsuitable for dissertations if you cannot get details of both ‘before’ and ‘after’ the impact. Generally it is not advisable to base your dissertation upon a topic that you did for an ‘A’-level project.

Some successful dissertation topics from previous years include.

Military abandonment in Staffordshire: dereliction and the re-utilisation of defence installations.

A laboratory study of frost and salt weathering using a selection of rock types. Longitudinal variation in the size, roundness and sorting of coarse clastic sediments

deposited on bar surfaces: an Alpine example. Deconstructing Postmodernism: evidence from Birmingham’s city centre landscapes. Origin and significance of a meltwater channel system near Aughertree Fell, northern

Cumbria. Rural isolation in three parishes of Yorkshire 1754-1933: measurements of its existence

and reasons for its demise. Spatial distribution and utilisation of GP services in Wolverhampton Residential development and Inter-censal Mobility in the Victorian City of Leeds

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You may also find it useful to read one or more of the chapters/articles listed below, which are available from the Nuffield or Main Libraries.

Bell, J. 2005 (4th ed) Doing Your Research Project. Open University Press, Buckingham.[Chapter 2 Planning the Project]

*Burkill, S. & Burley, J. 1996. Getting started on a Geography dissertation. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 20: 431-437.

Gatrell, A.C. 2005. Choosing a topic. Ch3 In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (Eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd

edition[This chapter is very useful for all students not just those interested in human geography]

Kennedy, B.A. 1992. First Catch Your Hare ... Research Designs for Individual Projects. In Rogers A., Viles, H. & Goudie, A. (eds) The Student’s Companion to Geography. Blackwell, Oxford: 128-134.

Parsons, T. & Knight, P.G. 2005. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines. Routledge, London. 2nd Edition [Chapter 4 What shall I do it on?]

Is it original?Your dissertation gives you an opportunity to carry out an original piece of research. This means that you cannot just copy a project that has been done before, or repeat a school A-level project. However, this does not mean that you must try to do something completely revolutionary that has never been considered before: Research and scholarship often advance by projects that evaluating and building upon the previously published work of others. You must show an appreciation of this in your consideration of background material to your topic, most particularly in the literature review.

N.B. Plagiarism and Academic DishonestyPlagiarism, the presenting of other people’s work as one’s own, will be heavily penalised. The university has strict penalties where plagiarism has taken place. To avoid this, give full acknowledgement to all source material, whether published or unpublished (including text, tables and figures). Plagiarism is dealt with in greater detail in the University Student Handbookhttp://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/aa/regulationshandbook/plagiarism.htm

Is it feasible in the time available?You have more than 12 months to devise, design, execute and write up your research project. This may seem a long time but will pass very quickly so you must be realistic in the scope of the project. The ideal topic is specific and highly focused. Start from your broad area of interest and then narrow down to a very specific question that will form the core of your work. Bear in mind that you must not only research the background to the project and collect primary data, but you must also analyse the information, present it and write about it. It is common for the working up and writing up the research material to take far longer than expected/intended.

Is it possible to obtain the necessary data?Make sure that the data you require to address the chosen topic are available or can be generated. Explore available data sets (e.g. census data, historical data) and ensure that if the data are held by an institution (e.g. Meteorological Office, Local Councils) they will allow access to that data. If your topic involves ‘sensitive’ information ( e.g. crime or health data) ,

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or if it is going to be highly reliant upon a single source, e.g. a planning authority or government department , make sure that you have a fall-back position if the information is not available. More and more students nationally are doing project-based dissertations and some public and private bodies are becoming resistant to requests for information. If you intend to generate your own data e.g. fieldwork, laboratory analysis, ensure that any necessary equipment or technical support will be available. Ensure also that sufficient appropriate data can be obtained within the given time constraints. Some helpful ideas are available from the references listed under Data Collection in this handbook.

Is it ethical ?In many areas of research, especially in human aspects of geography, ethical issues arise and you will need to consider these. The issues are most obvious when dealing with topics like the geography of crime, inequality or medical geography, but many kinds of information, even questionnaire surveys on ‘innocent’ topics, may have ethical implications. The implications need to be considered for yourself, those participating in the study, members of the public, Keele University and the reputation of Geography. You need to consider the rights and welfare of the people involved, the value of the knowledge obtained and the need to promote and maintain a positive image of Geography.If you ask people to help you with your research, they have the right to decline. Respect their rights at all times and avoid exploiting them for your own interests. The sorts of issues that you should consider are:-

Have I informed the participants of all that they need and would expect to know before taking part?

Have they willingly agreed to take part? How do I ensure that all research records are confidential and anonymous, and will

remain so? How do I ensure that my research is carried out professionally and in a way that does

not give offence and protects the rights of those involved?

Where appropriate you should the gain the clear consent of people involved. This is usually not needed when carrying out observations of behaviour in public places, but people's privacy should be respected. If you are researching on private property, such as a shopping precinct, or a quarry it is essential to ask permission from the appropriate owners/authorities. Respect your participants' privacy2 by treating data as confidential. Others should not be able to identify those who have taken part in your study. You should never:-

insult, offend or anger participants make participants believe that they have harmed or upset someone else break the law or encourage others to do so contravene the Data Protection Act illegally copy tests or materials make up data copy other people's work claim that somebody else's wording is your own.

Where shall I work?Some of the best dissertations have been done by enthusiastic and well-organised individuals working overseas, sometimes in conjunction with expeditions. Most UK students’ dissertations are done in Britain because of the problems of access to materials, languages and finance when working abroad. With determination and foresight, however, all these problems can be overcome. Students who study Geology may wish to consider a topic that can be undertaken in the same area as their Geology mapping project. Students spending 2 Consider privacy (access to aspects of people’s lives), confidentiality (safeguarding information and not making it public) and anonymity (the idea that information is non-attributable)

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a year abroad for languages may also wish to consider doing their dissertation abroad. Recently Geography students at Keele have done their dissertations in Australia, Egypt, France, Iceland, Malta, Sri Lanka, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the USA and Zimbabwe.

If you wish to consider doing research abroad you are strongly advised to discuss this with academic staff and begin your planning at a very early stage. If you are abroad, especially if you are in an ‘exotic’ location, contact with your Keele advisor may be difficult, or impossible, so it is important that you have arrangements in place / contingency plans if things go wrong. Having an exotic location will not of itself guarantee a good dissertation topic or a high quality result.

For certain projects some financial assistance may be available from external bodies. Further information can be obtained from the sources listed below.

Two essential books to consult for both UK and overseas fieldwork funding are:

Directory of Grant-Making Trusts, Charities Aid Foundation, Tunbridge.

Winser, S & McWilliam, N (2004) The Expedition Planners' Handbook and Directory, 2nd edition, Royal Geographical Society.

The Expedition Advisory Centre has a wide range of publications covering the organisation of expeditions, guidelines for developing projects and expedition field techniques. The EAC will also provide advice, information and contacts. For further information contact: The Expedition Advisory Centre, RGS-IBG, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR, or see their web page:

http://www.rgs.org/SpecialInterests/fieldworkandexpeditions/Fieldwork+and+expeditions.htm

If you are considering working in a developing area then the following book will be useful:

Robson, E. & Willis, K. 1997 (eds) Postgraduate fieldwork in developing areas: a rough guide. Monograph No. 9, Developing Areas Research Group, RGS-IBG.

Personal Funding Sources:Dudley Stamp Memorial Fund & 20th International Geographical Congress Fund, Executive Secretary, Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London. SW1Y 5AG.

Arthur Haydock Bequest & Bernard Hobson Fund, British Association for the Advancement of Science, Fortress House, Saville Row, London. W1X 1AB. Note: Geological research only.

Exploration Fund, Explorer's Club, 46 East 70th Street, New York. NY 10021, USA.

Wyndham Deedes Travel Scholarship to Israel, The Director, Anglo-Israel Association, 9 Bentinck Street, London, W1M 5RP. Note: For intensive study in Israel only.

Violet Cressey-Marks Fisher Travelling Scholarship, Royal Geographical Society, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR. Note: Awarded every three years.

Expedition Funding Sources:

Royal Geographical Society-Institute of British Geographers, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR. (Tel: 020 7591 3000). http://www.rgs.org/

Edinburgh Trust Number 2, Duke of Edinburgh's Office, Buckingham Palace, London.

Gilchrist Educational Trust, Mary Trevelyan Hall, 10 York Terrace East, London. NW1 4PT.

Albert Reckitt Charitable Trust, Southwark Twrs, 32 London Bridge St., London. SE1 9SY.

Royal Scottish Geographical Society, 10 Randolph Crescent, Edinburgh. EH3 7TU. (Note: Expedition must have a Scottish base or Scottish membership.)

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Gino Watkins Memorial Fund & Edward Wilson Fund, The Director, Scott Polar Research Institute, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER. Note: Expeditions to polar regions only.

Will my topic enable me to do a good dissertation?Your chosen topic should enable you to:

identify and define a problem and to assess what data and techniques are necessary to contribute to its solution (not simply to describe)

make a realistic judgement of what is practicable to attempt within a specific framework of resources and experience

display critical acumen in evaluating earlier studies and assessing the conclusions of other workers

devise an approach which is sound in methodological terms at your chosen scale of operation

show flexibility of mind (and determination) to overcome the inevitable problems encountered in gathering and processing data

show insight in interpreting data, backed where relevant by appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative techniques

present a formal report based upon a piece of academic research

Is the topic likely to sustain my interest?You will be involved in your dissertation project for over a year so it is important that you are interested in what you are doing: don’t choose something so simple that it will quickly become dull.

Working with outside agencies.Several commercial and charitable organisations, including Operation Wallacea, Frontier and Operation Raleigh have ‘expedition’ type arrangements for conservation and other projects that can form the basis of student dissertations. There are several problems that may arise in following this route for your project. Usually these organisations expect a substantial level of sponsorship from participants and in return they offer a variety of back-up and supervision services, and even ‘ready-made’ dissertation topics, which might break the rules for Keele’s dissertations (see below). Some companies and authorities produce lists of topics that they would like to be tackled and for which they are willing to provide data. Working on a project relevant to a company or agency can be very rewarding, you may gain access to data or land that would otherwise be inaccessible and someone (other than your examiners) will be interested in your work. However, if you work under the auspices of any of these organisations or agencies, you must bear the following rules about Keele dissertations in mind:

students are required to devise their own dissertation topic the project must be appropriate to a degree in Geography (HG or PG) the project must be your work, not someone else’s’ you may be required to write a report for the sponsor of the project but your dissertation

must be entirely separate your final dissertation must conform to the criteria stated in this handbook you are required to sign a declaration that the dissertation is all your own work

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Risk Assessment for Dissertations

You are required to submit a completed Risk Assessment Form with your Formal Research Proposal. This form must be filled in and signed by you and counter-signed by your advisor before being put into the Research Proposal. You should keep a copy with you as you carry out your research. Copies of the risk assessment form for inclusion in the Formal Research Proposal are available from the secretaries’ office.

The idea of risk assessment is nothing new, you do it all the time, for example when crossing the road you use the Green Cross Code, when hill-walking at weekends you take warm clothing and waterproofs etc. Once you have chosen your dissertation topic you must assess the risks involved in the project. An assessment of risk is nothing more than a careful examination of what, during the work, could cause harm to people (including yourself), so that you can weigh up whether enough precautions have been taken or whether more should be taken to prevent harm. The aim is to make sure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill.

Reasons why we assess risk...

1. To identify all the foreseeable hazards associated with a piece of work and to try to minimise the risks from them so that no one gets hurt or becomes ill.

2. To be assured that if an incident or accident does occur, all reasonable precautions had been taken to prevent it. We must be able to demonstrate that this is the case.

3. It is a legal requirement to assess the risks involved in projects (the risk assessment form is a legal document).

You must attach a completed and signed risk assessment form to both copies of the Formal Research Proposal. This must include evidence that you have discussed the risks associated with carrying out your dissertation project with your dissertation advisor.

Proposals not including an assessment of risk will not be accepted.

Read the following notes very carefully, then follow the instructions below.

The following notes were adapted from:1. Five Steps to risk assessment. Health and Safety Executive, 1994 and

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg163.pdf2. Code of Practice for Safety in Fieldwork. CVCP, 1995

DefinitionsHazard: This is anything that can cause harm e.g. chemicals, electricity, working at height, working in potentially dangerous areas.

Risk: This is the chance, great or small, that someone will be harmed by the hazard.

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General GuidanceDecide whether a hazard is significant and whether it is covered by satisfactory precautions so that the risk is small. This needs to be checked when the risks are assessed. For example, electricity can kill, but the risk of it doing so in an office environment is remote, providing that ‘live’ components are insulated and metal casings properly earthed.

Do not over complicate the assessment. The hazards may be few and simple. Checking them is common sense. Some may have already been assessed - e.g. chemicals should already have been assessed and the risks to health and the precautions needed recorded under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (COSHH). If so they can be considered checked and this can be noted. If laboratory work is included as part of the dissertation it should be discussed with the person in charge of the laboratory before completion of the risk assessment form.

If you intend to use the laboratory facilities for your dissertation you must see Ian Wilshaw our laboratory technician to discuss health and safety procedures. You will be asked to abide by the general safety rules of the laboratory as well as following strict health and safety guidelines for carrying out specific laboratory procedures.

FIVE STEPS TO RISK ASSESSMENT

STEP ONE LOOK FOR THE HAZARDS

The first stage in any risk assessment is to identify the potential hazards. Field and laboratory work should be carefully looked at with regard to location and working practices used on the trips and the hazards that could cause significant harm. The risks should be assessed from the hazards that can reasonably be foreseen. Risk assessment is also a continuous procedure - when arriving on site any additional hazards spotted should be assessed and if necessary included in your risk assessment.

Use the checklists on the following page to assist in the identification of any hazards associated with the project. Note however that this checklist is not exhaustive.

STEP TWO DECIDING WHO MIGHT BE HARMED AND HOW

Determine those who could be affected by the hazards identified in step one. Besides the people actually taking part in the activity (yourself), think of others who may be affected even thought they are not directly involved e.g. members of the public, field assistants etc.

STEP THREE EVALUATE THE LEVEL OF RISK ASSOCIATED WITH EACH HAZARD AND DETERMINE WHAT CONTROL MEASURES CAN BE IMPLEMENTED TO MINIMISE THE LEVEL OF RISK

For each of the hazards you have identified in step one, evaluate the level of risk it poses to yourself and others. The level of risk posed by a potential hazard is dependent both upon its probability and the severity of its outcome. Both elements should be considered when evaluating the level of risk. For example, if your fieldwork entailed a high probability of you falling from a cliff resulting in serious injury, then the level of risk would be very high.

At this stage it is crucial that you identify the steps you can take to minimise the level of risk posed by the various hazards you have identified (known as control measures). For

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example, if you have identified inclement weather as a particular hazard, then the risk can be minimised by ensuring you are appropriately equipped with warm and waterproof clothing. In addition, check whether your precautions and control measures conform to the University guidelines or any other professional standard (see CWIS, Health & Safety Noticeboard, Safety Advisor), to all the legal requirements (e.g. COSHH) etc.

Even after all precautions have been taken, usually some risk remains. It is important that you evaluate and document the residual level of risk as part of your risk assessment. What has to be decided for each significant hazard is whether this remaining risk is high, medium or low.

As mentioned before, the risks on field work should be assessed from the hazards that can reasonably be foreseen. When arriving on site, any additional hazards spotted should be assessed at that time and appropriate action taken and recorded.

Above all, if you consider the level of risk posed by your intended fieldwork to be unacceptably high, you should not undertake your project in its current form. Instead, through consultation with your advisor, you should consider ways in which you can modify the project such that the risk is reduced to an acceptable level.

STEP FOUR RECORD YOUR ASSESSMENT

The significant findings of your assessment must be recorded. A form has been provided for this. There is no need to show how the assessment was performed, provided it can be shown that: a proper check was made consideration was made of who might be affected all the obvious significant hazards were dealt with, taking into account the number of

people who could be involved the precautions are reasonable and the remaining risk is low.

STEP FIVE REVIEW THE ASSESSMENT FROM TIME TO TIME AND REVISE IT IF NECESSARY

If the dissertation project changes then additions should be made to the risk assessment to take the new hazard(s) into account. If your project changes altogether then you will need to complete a new risk assessment form.

CHECKLISTS OF POSSIBLE HAZARDSThis list is not comprehensive and you may need to think of other risks and

hazards.Risks inherent in the site?

Physical Hazardsextreme weather mountains & cliffs glaciers, crevasses, ice etc.caves, mines, quarries forests (inc. fire hazards) freshwatersea and seashore (tides etc.) marshes & quicksand Roadside/trafficBiological Hazardsvenomous, lively or aggressive animals plantspathogenic micro-organisms (tetanus etc.)Chemical HazardsAgro-chemicals & pesticides dusts (COSHH assessment) chemicals on site (COSHH)Anthropogenic Hazardsmachinery & vehicles power lines & pipelines electrical equipmentinsecure buildings slurry & silage pits military activity

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attack on the person or property travel & transportHazards to Environmentdisturbance of ecosystems pollution waste minimisation

Risks inherent in work?

Trainingnavigation e.g. map & compass work survival/rescuespecialist training e.g. diving, using machinery first-aidChemical HazardsCOSHH assessments for the work on siteBiological HazardsCOSHH assessments for the work on site animals plantsPersonal Safetyrisk of attack routine communication communication in emergency

LONE WORKING, COMMUNICATION & CONTINGENCY PLANNING

Communication is a very important part of controlling risk. You should try to avoid working alone. This may mean striking a deal with a friend so that they help you with your surveying and you help them to deliver questionnaires. This does not mean that you are working together, simply that you are being sensible and not working alone. It may be that it is not possible to avoid working alone, if so you should take extra care with the next stage. Whether you are working alone or with an assistant, before setting off for your study site, you must give somebody a record of where you are going, what time you left and what time you expect to return. This will probably involve leaving a written record with your family, friends, at a youth hostel or camp site or with local organisations (e.g. mountain rescue). Think about who you are going to inform of your whereabouts (they should be located near to where you are working) and what steps they will take if you fail to return by your stated time. Take a mobile telephone with you (and check you have reception in your field area).

Before undertaking any fieldwork, it is worthwhile considering what steps you would take in the case of either an emergency or a change in conditions. If you have given some thought to this previously, then you will be able to deal with any incidents (minor or major) more effectively. For example, if your project involves working at a field site near a hill top and you encounter poor weather conditions (and an associated risk of hypothermia for example), consider whether there are alternative sites at lower elevations that would be suitable and that would minimise the level of risk. These contingency plans can then be incorporated into your risk assessment.

CHECKLIST FOR COMPLETING THE RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

1. READ this section of the Dissertation Handbook very carefully.

2. THINK about where you are going to do your dissertation work and make a list of the possible associated hazards. Use the checklist in the handbook as a prompt but remember that not all the possible hazards are listed. There may be others. Think about how the risks can be minimised. If you need advice on laboratory work see The Geography laboratory supervisor, Ian Wilshaw.

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3. COMMUNICATION is a very important part of controlling risk. Make sure you have read the section in this handbook on Lone Working and Communication. Decide who you are going to inform of your whereabouts and what steps they will take if you fail to return by your stated time.

4. ARRANGE to see your dissertation advisor before the submission date for the formal research proposal. Bring the notes you made when thinking through points 2 and 3. You and your advisor will then complete the form together and both sign it.

5. HAND IN two copies of the risk assessment form, one attached to each copy of your formal research proposal. They should both be signed by both parties. Proposals without an assessment of risk attached will not be marked.

6. When your Formal Research Proposal is returned, make sure that you keep the risk assessment form and take it with you to your study area to remind you of the hazards and precautions you should be taking.

Planning the research programme

Reviewing the literatureOnce you have chosen a research topic you will need to spend time in the library, browsing the web and researching elsewhere to make use of the available literature. Although the ideal dissertation topic is specific and highly-focused, you must be able to relate your work to broader areas of geographical enquiry and to work that has previously been done on the topic. Avoid the tendency to focus only on your specific hypotheses and ensure that you consider the wider implications of the work. You will need to write a literature review for your Formal Research Proposal and update it as you find more relevant articles. A literature review sets your work into the context of what has gone before and is an important part of the dissertation. At the end of the dissertation you will also need to evaluate your conclusions in the light of the existing literature.

In terms of finding information, if your choice of topic was inspired by a journal article or text book then start there, look at the references that the authors have cited and track them down. If a lecture sparked your enthusiasm then you could ask the lecturer if they can suggest some reading. You can find books and articles through the library catalogue and on-line databases (see Keele University Library Factsheet No. 6. Online and CD-ROM Services. The following article is full of useful ideas on how to track down background material for your project.

Flowerdew, R. 2005. Finding previous work on the topic. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition.[This chapter is very useful for all students, not just those doing human geography]

Do not under-estimate the time it takes to locate and read sufficient background information to place your project into context or to refine the research objectives. You should have a clear idea of exactly what you are going to do and how you are going to achieve it before you leave Keele for the summer. When selecting the topic and area of study for your dissertation, remember to make use of Keele Map Library. Find out which maps are available at Keele (O.S. maps, geological maps, town plans, CD-ROMs etc.), how easy it will be to obtain maps of your study area and what resources will be available locally in your research area.

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Formulating research questions

Once you know something about your topic and have worked out what you are trying to do you will need to begin to formulate some research questions. The sorts of data you collect, questions you ask and answers you find will depend on the philosophy and methodology you adopt. There is a great deal of literature covering research design and techniques and you should consult it before finalising your methodology and remember to acknowledge it in your final dissertation.

Useful things to read include...

Baker, V.R. 1996. Hypotheses and geomorphological reasoning. In Rhoads, B.L. & Thorn, C.E. (eds) The Scientific Nature of Geomorphology. Proc. Of the 27th Binghampton Symposium on Geomorphology. Wiley, Chichester: 57-85.

Graham, E. 2005. Philosophies underlying human geography research. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition

Haines-Young, R. & Petch, J. 1986. Physical Geography: its nature and methods. Harper & Row Ltd. London.

Kitchin, R. and Tate, N.J. 2000. Conducting Research into Human Geography, Prentice Hall (Harlow). 330 pp.

Lindsay, J.M. 1997. Techniques in Human Geography. Routledge, London.[Chapter 2 Research and project design - defining the context for the use of techniques]

McDowell, L. 1997. Women/Gender/Feminisms: doing feminist geography. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 21: 381-400.

Parsons, T. & Knight, P.G. 2005. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines. Routledge, London. 2nd Edition

Richards, K. 1996. Samples and Cases: generalisation and explanation in geomorphology. In Rhoads, B.L. & Thorn, C.E. (eds) The Scientific Nature of Geomorphology. Proc. Of the 27th Binghampton Symposium on Geomorphology. Wiley, Chichester: 171-189.

Shurmer-Smith, P. & Hannam, K. 1995. Worlds of Desire, Realms of Power. Edward Arnold, London. [Chapter 14 Doing Cultural Geography]

Thorn, C.E. 1988. Introduction to Theoretical Geomorphology. Unwin Hyman, Boston.

Women and Geography Study Group 1997. Feminist Geographies: explorations in diversity and difference. Longman, Essex. [Chapter 4 Methods and Methodologies in Feminist Geographies: politics, practice and power]

Data CollectionThis phase of your dissertation should normally be accomplished during the summer vacation and it is important to use this period productively. Depending on the topic, it may include fieldwork (surveying, questionnaires, interviews etc.), analysis of archival material, laboratory work, map work or the use of remote sensing imagery. If well planned this phase of the dissertation should take no more than 2-3 weeks depending on the topic. For some topics (e.g. those involving laboratory work) it may be necessary to return to Keele early in September before the start of term to complete this work. Ideally you should expect to have your data ready for analysis by the beginning of the autumn term.

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Whilst carrying out your fieldwork, make as much use as you can of local resources (Public Libraries, Planning Offices etc.). It is much easier and more efficient to use these when you are in the area than once you have returned to Keele. Remember to take photocopies of any information you may wish to refer to after you have left and take full reference details of any sources used. It may not be possible to go back and check them later.

You will find it useful to read some of the following BEFORE starting your data collection.

QuestionnairesAdams, W.M. & Megaw, C.C. 1997. Researchers and the rural poor: asking questions in the Third World. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 21: 199-214.

Bell, J. 2005 Doing Your Research Project. Open University Press, Buckingham.[Chapter 7 Designing and Administering Questionnaires]

Bridge, G. 1992. Questionnaire Surveys. In Rogers, A., Viles, H. & Goudie, A. (eds) A Student’s Companion to Geography. Blackwell, Oxford: 196-206.

Lindsay, J.M. 1997. Techniques in Human Geography. Routledge, London.[Chapter 4 Questionnaires, interviews and allied techniques: getting information from people]

Parfitt, J. 2005. Questionnaire design and sampling. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition

InterviewsBell, J. 2005. Doing Your Research Project. Open University Press, Buckingham.[Chapter 8 Planning and Conducting Interviews & Chapter 9 Diaries]

Burgess, J. 1992. The Art of Interviewing. In Rogers, A., Viles, H. & Goudie, A. (eds) A Student’s Companion to Geography. Blackwell, Oxford: 207-212.

McCracken, G. 1988. The Long Interview. Qualitative Research Methods Series No. 13. Sage Publications, London.

Valentine, G. 2005. Tell me about...:using interviews as a research methodology. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition.

Participant ObservationBell, J. 2005. Doing Your Research Project. Open University Press, Buckingham.[Chapter 10 Observation Studies]]

Cook, I. 2005. Participant Observation. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd

edition

Evans, M. 1988. Participant Observation - the researcher as research tool. In Eyles, J. & Smith, D.M. (eds) Qualitative Methods in Human Geography. Polity Press, Cambridge: 197-218.

General Physical GeographyViles, H.A. 1992. Laboratory Work. In Rogers, A., Viles, H. & Goudie, A. (eds) A Student’s Companion to Geography. Blackwell, Oxford: 179-186.

Viles, H.A. 1992. Physical Geography Fieldwork. In Rogers, A., Viles, H. & Goudie, A. (eds) A Student’s Companion to Geography. Blackwell, Oxford: 187-195.

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Geomorphology & Biogeography TechniquesGardiner, V. & Dackombe, R. 1983. Geomorphological Field Manual. Allen & Unwin Ltd. London.

Gilbertson, D.D., Kent, M. & Pyatt, F.B. 1985. Practical Ecology for Geography and Biology - survey, mapping and data analysis. Hutchinson & Co. London.

Goudie, A.S. et al. 1990. Geomorphological Techniques (2nd ed.). Routledge, London.

SurveyingRitchie, W., Wood, M., Wright, R. & Tait, D. 1988. Surveying and Mapping for Field Scientists. Longman, Essex.

Climate and MeteorologyLinacre, E. 1992. Climate Data and Resources - a references and guide. Routledge, London.

Environmental StudiesMorriss, P. & Therivel, R. 1995. Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment. UCL Press, London.

Watts, S. and Halliwell, L. 1996. Essential Environmental Science - methods and techniques. Routledge, London.

Reconstructing Past EnvironmentsHooke, J.M. & Kain, R.J.P. 1982. Historical Change in the Physical Environment. Butterworth Scientific, London.

Lowe, J.J. & Walker, M.J.C. 1996. Reconstructing Quaternary Environments (2nd ed). Longman, Essex.

Menzies, J. 1996. Past Glacial Environments - sediments, forms and techniques. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford.

Secondary Data SourcesBaker, A.R.H. 1997. “The dead don’t answer questionnaires”: researching and writing historical geography. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 21: 231-244.

Bell, J. 2005. Doing Your Research Project. Open University Press, Buckingham.[Chapter 6 The Analysis of Documentary Evidence]

Campbell, D. & Campbell, M. 1995. The Student Guide to Doing Research on the Internet. Longman, Essex.

Clark, G. 2005. Secondary data sources. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, 2nd edition.

Lindsay, J.M. 1997. Techniques in Human Geography. Routledge, London.[Chapter 11 Using the Internet]

Livingstone, I. & Shepherd, I. 1997. Using the internet. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 21: 435-443.

Williams, M. 1992. Archives in Geographical Research. In Rogers, A., Viles, H. & Goudie, A. (eds) A Student’s Companion to Geography. Blackwell, Oxford: 221-230.

Data AnalysisThis normally takes place during the first semester and early part of second semester in your third year. The School of Physical and Geographical Sciences has a number of

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special facilities that you may use in doing your dissertation. You will need to make appropriate arrangements with laboratory and technical staff and with your supervisor.

Laboratories. Students can have supervised access to laboratories. You are advised to discuss this with laboratory technicians as soon as practicable.

Map digitizer. This facility can be used to obtain quantitative measurements from maps and to create base maps for the display of e.g. census data.

GIS and Image processing. A number of computer programs are available for spatial data analysis. Modifications to these may be suitable for individual projects.

Computing. Computer laboratories within the School contain a wide range of machines and facilities that may be useful in data analysis, preparation of illustrations and the preparation of your dissertation.

Data analysis & presentation can take more time than anticipated. Make sure that you are using appropriate techniques especially if you are undertaking statistical or spatial analysis. In addition to the following references, your second year practical notes should be a useful reminder of some analytical techniques.

Quantitative AnalysisBryman, A. & Cramer, D. 1996. Quantitative data analysis with Minitab - A guide for Social Scientists. Routledge, London.

Burt, J.E. & Barber, G.M. 1996. Elementary Statistics for Geographers. The Guilford Press, New York.

Ebdon, D. 1985. Statistics in Geography (2nd ed). Blackwell, NY.

Fotheringham, A.S. 2005. Analyzing numerical data. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition

Lindsay, J.M. 1997. Techniques in Human Geography. Routledge, London.[Chapters 5 & 6 Coming to terms with statistics, Statistics in action]

Lovett, A.A. 2005. Analyzing categorical data. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition

Parsons, T. & Knight, P.G. 2005. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines. Routledge, London.[Chapters 7 & 8 What can I do with my data when I’ve got them? What amount of data do I need?]

Shaw, G. & Wheeler, D. 1994. Statistical Techniques in Geographical Analysis (2nd ed). Fulton, London.

See also CATMOG series of pamphlets available in Map Library - Concepts and Techniques in Modern Geography including Linear Regression, Models in Human Geography etc.

Qualitative AnalysisAitken, S. C. 2005. Analysis of texts: armchair theory and couch-potato geography. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition

Crang, M. 2005. Analyzing qualitative materials. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition

Feldman, M. 1995. Strategies for interpreting qualitative data. Sage, Beverly Hills.

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Jones, S. 1985. The analysis of depth interviews. In Walker, R. (Ed) Applied Qualitative Research. Gower Press, Aldershot: 80-87.

Reissman, C. 1993. Narrative Analysis. Sage, Beverly Hills.

Strauss, A. 1987. Qualitative Analysis for Social Scientists. CUP, Cambridge.

GIS, Spatial Analysis & ModellingBailey, T. & Gatrell, A. 1995. Interactive Spatial Analysis. Longman, Essex.

Goodchild, M.F. (ed) 1994. Environmental Modelling with GIS. OUP, Oxford.

Jones, C.B. 1997. Geographical Information Systems and Computer Cartography. Longman, Essex.

Martin, D. 2005. Geographical information systems and spatial analysis. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition.

Parsons, T. & Knight, P.G. 2005. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines. Routledge, London, 2nd edition

[Chapter 9 Should I model?]

Raper, J. 1992. Geographical Information Systems. In Rogers, A., Viles, H. & Goudie, A. (eds) A Student’s Companion to Geography. Blackwell, Oxford: 168-178.

WritingWhen you plan your research programme, ensure that you leave sufficient time to write up your work. It is never too soon to begin writing your dissertation and it always takes longer than you think (see below).

Boyle, P. 2005. Writing up - some suggestions. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition

Lindsay, J.M. 1997. Techniques in Human Geography. Routledge, London.[Chapter 9 Using computer applications]

Parsons, T. & Knight, P.G. 2005. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines. Routledge, London. 2nd edition

Writing the DissertationA dissertation is not simply a long essay, but an account of research. The style and format of a dissertation may be unlike anything you have ever written before and you should discuss a detailed plan of the dissertation with your advisor.

LengthThe length limit for the single dissertation is 5,000 words, and for the double dissertation 10,000, but you will be permitted a 10% margin of error. Students must provide a statement of the total word length and include this in their declaration on the opening page of the dissertation (see page 29 “Presentation: the technicalities”). The word length is applied to the main body text of the dissertation, and excludes the following:

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Appendices References Footnotes Captions and notes on graphs, diagrams or other illustrative materials Text-based materials that are used to illustrate arguments made within the main body of

the dissertation, such as sections of interview transcripts or text from source materials. These should be clearly demarcated as different from the main body text, either by the use of indented text (for long, direct quotations from source materials) or text boxes.

Students exceeding the word limit will be penalised by a loss of marks.

Data PresentationWhere appropriate maps, graphs and diagrams should be used to illustrate the text and provide detailed information e.g. of a field site or calibration curve. Such illustrations, especially maps, can make a major contribution to the dissertation. They should be clear and simple and be drawn bearing in mind the A4 size. All illustrations should be numbered so that they can be clearly referred to in the body of the text. The system by which they are identified chapter by chapter (e.g. so that Fig. 3.4 refers to the fourth illustration in Chapter Three) is often the most practical especially if the chapters are not written in the order presented. The sources of all derived material should be fully acknowledged.

How much time to spend on drawing maps and diagrams is up to the individual, but as with writing, they can easily take more time than at first anticipated. Explore the use of graphic packages on the computers, especially for the presentation of numerical data. When deciding which maps to use to illustrate your text, check with the Map library (in the Main library) for availability and allow plenty of time to prepare your maps. It is acceptable to use maps constructed from official sources like DIGIMAP, but you must always give the source and always abide by any copyright restrictions.

Each illustration should have a Figure caption and indications of orientation, scale and legend information where appropriate. Selective use of photographs can be effective but they need clear annotation and they must be linked to the text. An overlay or accompanying, annotated, analytical sketch may well be necessary it they are to be meaningful.

Data can also be presented as tables. If the primary data consists of voluminous tabulations, put these into an appendix and include summary tables of salient points in the text. Make sure that all tables are clearly headed, that precise definitions of rows and columns are given and that sources are noted. Remember to number all tables, figures (diagrams and maps) and photographs consecutively as you refer to them in the text. They should then appear on the next page following the first reference to them. Avoid grouping all figures etc. at the end of chapters.

Dunn, C.E. & Roberts, B.K. 2005. Maps and illustrations. In Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (eds) Methods in Human Geography - a guide for students doing a research project. Pearson, London, 2nd edition

Lindsay, J.M. 1997. Techniques in Human Geography. Routledge, London.[Chapters 7 & 9 Maps and mapping techniques, Computer mapping]

StyleYour dissertation should be written in the style of a piece of academic research. Your object is the precise use of plain words to convey meaning with absolute clarity and the greatest economy. Avoid personal pronouns, exclamation marks (!), jargon, clichés, colloquialisms, excessive use of capitals and note form. Read your writing aloud to yourself to ensure it makes sense. Pay due attention to punctuation, grammar and spelling.

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The text of your dissertation should be structured into chapters, sections and paragraphs. There are different conventions about presenting results and interpretation/findings separately – seek advice from your advisor about what is best for your material. Begin each chapter with a statement of its purpose and structure; and if you sub-divide it, make it clear what each section contributes to the argument. The individual paragraphs are the basic building bricks. Each should have its own topic, its own stage in the development of the argument. A bad overall design will express itself in a ramshackle muddle of unstructured chapters and ill-conceived paragraphs. The rules, therefore, are very simply expressed: plan down to the last detail and then write with simplicity, precision and economy.

ReferencesAn early chapter will place the study in perspective against the background of the relevant literature, so as to establish the academic context of your topic and its problems. This will probably be quite heavily referenced. Later chapters will contain references in explicit circumstances, for example:

where you take crucial pieces of evidence from either published or primary sources where you refer to the views of authors in order to confirm or modify them in the light of

your work where you introduce new issues or new aspects, and therefore new work not covered in

your earlier literature review.

One of two systems should be used:

(a) The ‘Harvard’ System Author’s names (not initials) and dates are given in the body of the text (e.g. Bloggs, 1999, p.151; Twerpe & Phoole, 2000) and the references are listed alphabetically at the end of the dissertation under the heading ‘References’. Physical Geography dissertations MUST follow this style.

Bloggs, C. 1999. Fried-fish shops and the central-plaice system. Area 362: 1-45.

Twerpe, G.A. & Phoole, N.B.G. 2000. Location theory. Idiocy Publishing, London.

(b) Numerical Referencing Numbers are inserted in the text (e.g. 7,8) and references to these are given in numerical order at the end of the dissertation under the heading ‘References’.

7. Bloggs, C. 1999. Fried-fish shops and the central-plaice system. Area, 362: 1-45.

8. Twerpe, G.A. & Phoole, N.B.G. 2000. Location theory. Idiocy Publishing, London.

Numbered footnotes can also be incorporated into the text using this system. These would indicate qualifications to, or elaborations of a point made in the text.

Check issues of the Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers or Earth Surface Processes and Landforms to see how each system is applied in practice.

Citing Electronic Sources

If you refer to electronic sources then please ensure that you cite the information properly in your reference list. Simply giving the home page address of a large organisation is not sufficient. The following information provides a guide.

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1. Individual WorksAuthor/editor, Year, Title [online]. Edition. Place of publication: Publisher (if ascertainable). Available from: URL [Accessed Date].

Example: Holland, M. 1996. Harvard system [online]. Poole: Bournemouth University. Available from http://bournemouth.ac.uk/service-depts/lis/LIS-Pub/harvardsyst.html [Accessed 15 April 2005].

2. Citing Electronic JournalsAuthor, Year. Title. Journal Title [online], volume (issue), location within host. Available from: URL [Accessed Date].

Example: Korb, K.B. 1995. Persons and things. Psycoloquy [online], 6 (15). Available from: gopher://wachau.ai.univie.ac.at:70/00/archives/Psycoloquy/95.V6/0162 [Accessed 17 June 1996].

Many journals are available in electronic form, accessible through the Keele library internet pages.

3. Mailbase/Listserve mail listsAuthor, Day Month Year. Subject of message. Discussion List [online]. Available from: list e-mail address [Accessed Date].

Example: Brack, E.V., 2 May 1995. Re: Computing short courses. Lis-link [online]. Available from: mailbase@mailbase.ac.uk [Accessed 17 April 2004].

AppendicesThe word limit for the body of the dissertation is enforced in the interests of fairness between candidates and over-length submissions will be marked down. Appendices must not be used as a device for extending the main text, but it is legitimate to use them as repositories for reference material, such as bulky original data tables or sample questionnaires, which would not otherwise be available to the examiner.

Access to past Dissertations

You are strongly advised to consult past dissertations to get an idea of what has previously impressed the examiners. Your supervisor may be able to show you examples of ‘good’ dissertations from previous years in your particular subject area, and a small number are available for reference in the School Office.

Presentation: the technicalitiesThe dissertation must be presented in A4 format with text word-processed on one side of the paper only at one and a half or double line spacing (depending on the typeface). You

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should leave a wide left-hand margin (approx. 30 mm) and reasonable other margins (approx. 20 mm). 11 point font-size is the minimum acceptable for the main text

Dissertations must be handed in securely-bound with either a comb or spiral binding (slide-on plastic clamps or other loose-leaf bindings are not acceptable). This can be done in the Students’ Union. The basic layout of your dissertation should be as follows:

Cover – Geography Double Dissertation or Geography Single DissertationModule GEG 30006 Module GEG 30008Year of Submission Year of SubmissionTitle of Dissertation Title of DissertationStudent ID Number Student ID Number

Title Page - Repeat the information above

Declaration – This declaration, which will be removed in the office before the dissertation is marked in order to preserve anonymity, must be inserted unbound at the front as follows:

Title of Dissertation, Year of submission, Student ID“I declare that this dissertation is my own original work, and contains nothing which is the outcome of work done in collaboration. No part of the work is a quotation from published or unpublished sources, except where this has been clearly acknowledged as such by citation of the source. The word count of the main body of the text is [include word count here] ”

Signature……………………….. Date……………

Abstract - a concise summary of the whole dissertation: what you have done, where you did it and what you concluded. It should not be a shortened version of the introduction, nor a summary of the conclusions. Look at journal articles, or chapter 11 in Parsons and Knight (2005) to see what goes into a good abstract.

AcknowledgementsTable of Contents – chapter headings should be listed in the table of contents.

List of Tables, List of Figures - including maps, graphs, diagrams and photographs

The body of the dissertation - be arranged in appropriate chapters with pages numbered.

Appendices - if required

References.

Detailed discussion of what should go in each section of the dissertation (for example the Introduction, Results or Discussion sections) is provided by Parsons and Knight (2005)

AssessmentThe internal assessment of your dissertation is carried out by two or more members of staff, one normally being your advisor. First, two assessors submit independent written reports and marks, neither seeing the other’s assessment until both have been formally recorded. If there is a minor divergence between the internal assessors, e.g. both awarding upper seconds but with different % scores, they discuss the dissertation and attempt to agree a mark within the range of their two original marks. If they cannot agree a mark then the dissertation will be marked by a third internal assessor and/or the external examiner(s). If there is a major difference in the internal marks (e.g. different degree classes) the

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dissertation is referred to a third internal assessor and the external examiner for his/her independent report. A copy of the dissertation-marking guide is included at the back of this handbook.

The anonymous double-marking, and scrutiny by the external assessors, are the main guarantees of fairness and consistency in assessment, but standardisation is helped by staff using an agreed framework of criteria. The framework is not rigid, in that headings are not marked individually according to some prescribed formula, but staff are required to report specifically on the following points in grading dissertations, as well as giving their overall opinion of the student’s initiative and competence:

Selection of Topic - is this well-defined, feasible, original, was it realistic to attempt?

Aims Objectives – is there a clearly expresses rationale, are objectives clearly defined and do they run as a thread connecting all stages of the work?

Incorporation of existing knowledge - is there evidence that the student has critically reviewed the literature and used it to structure his/her own research?

Implementation of techniques – Are appropriate techniques used and are reasons given? Is there evidence of fieldwork or primary data gathering? Is there adequate data for answering the research question(s)? Has proper use been made of statistical, graphic and cartographic techniques?

Results /Discussion – are the results consistent with what has been undertaken, are they clearly presented and knowledgeably discussed / interpreted?

Conclusion – is the outcome of the research handled perceptively, critically and with sound judgement? Do the conclusions correspond with the objectives and do they summarise the work and maintain its focus?

Overall Impressions of Dissertation.

When you need help

For questions specific to your research project, you should first see your dissertation advisor. For general queries, and questions that arise before you have been allocated an advisor, please see the Dissertation tutor.

Dissertation Supervision: code of conductYour dissertation advisor is there to guide you through the research process, but the responsibility for the research is your own. Dissertation advisors will be allocated early in the spring semester, and thereafter a series of individual and/or group meetings will be arranged. Outside of these meetings, it is your responsibility to contact your dissertation tutor when you require help.

Students can expect their dissertation advisor to: Discuss and advise on project design when you are formulating your research proposal Discuss plans for research prior to fieldwork, including feedback on research methods Discuss plans for research analysis. Discuss in detail a structure for writing up the dissertation Conduct a detailed read-through of a maximum of a single chapter, commenting on

academic content, writing style and noting typographical and other errors.29

Give general feedback on a finished draft of the entire dissertation

Dissertation advisors will expect their students to: Take responsibility for managing and executing their dissertation research Respond to emails and/or notices requesting them to visit their dissertation tutor Inform them in writing of any changes in fieldwork that may affect their submitted risk

assessment. [NB This is essential – even if these are occurring over the long vacation] Alert them to any significant changes in research direction Keep them informed of progress with research planning, data collection, analysis, and

write-up Give them significant time to review draft chapters and other materials students may

submit for review

If we need to contact you

Your advisors and the dissertation tutor will initially contact you via the Dissertation notice board (outside the Cope Lab) or by e-mail. You should check your Keele e-mail account, and look at the notice board, frequently.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, successful students will be able to:

choose and refine a specific research topic/problem;

synthesise and evaluate a selection of key concepts, conflicting and complementary debates and research publications in geography;

demonstrate critical thinking

develop and present in written form a sustained and reasoned argument to assess contrasting Geographical theories or explanations;

devise a research strategy to tackle a research problem;

safely collect and analyse original data or to conduct original analysis on data drawn from diverse existing sources;

demonstrate the ability to write a substantial report using sustained argument and effective presentation.

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Appendices

See below for Geography Dissertation Marking Guidelines Dissertation Examiners’ Report Form

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Geography Dissertation Marking Guidelines

FIRST CLASS

Dissertations demonstrating excellence in achievement of their objectives, original thought, a clear grasp of theoretical positions, strong and well-presented lines of argument accurately supported by evidence, clear structure and an appreciation of both broad and subtle implications.90-100% An outstanding project, superbly organised and presented, lucidly

written. Could not be bettered at undergraduate level in the time available, probably a candidate for publication.

80-89% Excellent level of understanding, reasoning, originality and factual content. Strong lines of argument, wide range of sources. Demonstrates real insight and a confident handling of the topic

70-79% A first class report showing most, but not all of the above. No significant errors or omissions.

UPPER SECOND

65-69% Thorough coverage of the topic showing good knowledge and understanding and good use of evidence. Wide reading, generally well digested. Critical awareness of different points of view. Sound argument, generally well directed to the objectives. Well organised structure

60-64% As above but report hangs together less well and may contain minor shortcomings or errors

LOWER SECOND

55-59% Satisfactory grasp of main issues and familiarity with the basic reading. Use of material without significant critical judgement. Structure uneven, some errors and omissions

50-54% As above but lower levels of understanding and organisation. Typical weaknesses: over-reliance on one or two references or sources; someirrelevance; some incoherence in argument and/or structure.

THIRD 45-49% Failure to address important aspects of the question Limited knowledge with serious errors and/or omissions, may be confusion about more complex material. Clear signs of understanding but relevant material thin. Arguments and conclusions superficial, presentation muddled.

40-44% Barely adequate. Likely to be significant errors/omissions, poor adherence to objectives, superficial/muddled interpretation and presentation. Under-developed in most respects

PASS 35-40% Some signs of understanding the material and some demonstration of skills but below honours degree standard (i.e. work which shows an inadequate grasp of the requirements of the dissertation, fails to address the issues. and/or contains serious errors or omissions)

FAIL 30-34% Shows some work towards the project objectives, but typically there will be little evidence of understanding. Factual material and skills will be thin or inappropriate and presentation will be muddled

20-29% The project may contain some correct and relevant material, but most issues are neglected or are covered incorrectly

10-19% Shows some evidence of attempting the project but produces material that is inadequate in most respects, or deeply flawed.

0-9% Significantly lacking in all the basic requirements, or a dissertation that is exceptionally brief or which entirely fails to address the issues.

This guide should be read in conjunction with the University’s approved marking guidelines, which can be found on the DAA Web page at:

http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/aa/regulationshandbook/marking.htm

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Geography Dissertation Examiner’s Report

Student I.D. ……………………… Marker………………………………AdvisorYes/No

Topic Is the topic well defined, will it provide evidence of geographical insight and geographical modes of enquiry, is it achievable within the available time and resources?

Aims / Objectives Does the investigation have a clearly expressed purpose ? Does it relates back to the choice of title? Are the objectives clearly identified and do they run as a connecting thread through the work?

Incorporation of existing knowledge Is there evidence that the student has critically read and assimilated and used knowledge relevant to the subject through a literature review?

Implementation of techniques. Are appropriate techniques / methodologies implemented? Are reasons given?. Is there consideration of suitability of data collection, evidence of fieldwork or primary data gathering, adequacy of data, proper use of statistical, graphical and cartographic techniques?

Results / Discussion Are the results consistent with what has been undertaken, are they clearly presented and knowledgeably discussed/interpreted? Is the student aware of limitations?

Conclusion Is the outcome of the study handled perceptively, critically and with sound judgement? Do the conclusions match the objective(s) of the dissertation, do they summarise the work and maintain its focus?

Presentation Does the dissertation demonstrate clear writing, appropriate references, good layout, and structure, appropriate use of diagrams,/maps/ photographs?

Other comments / overall impression

Overall Mark

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