Interpreting Environmental Data
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| GEOG1027 | School of Geographical Sciences | 1 | 20 | Full year China |
- Code
- GEOG1027
- School
- School of Geographical Sciences
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Full year China
Summary
This module introduces students to the organization, exploration analysis and presentation of environmental data. It equips students with basic quantitative and statistical concepts and techniques that they need to study Environmental Science at the University of Nottingham. Topics include, but are not limited to:
• understanding types of data
• being able to access and manipulate data in preparation for analysis
• acquiring, exploring and describing data
• understanding and applying statistical concepts
• the use of software to analyse data (spreadsheets and at least one statistical package)
• summarising data using measures of central tendency and variance
• sampling and inferential statistics
• testing and reporting the statistical significance of relationships between data using a range of techniques including correlation, regression and the analysis of variances (ANOVA)
Target Students
Students registered on the Environmental Science programme at The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China.
Classes
- One 2-hour practicum each week for 22 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 22 weeks
Activities may take place every teaching week of the semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a semester
Assessment
- 20% Coursework 1: Weekly tests (Full Year)
- 40% Coursework 2: Written report 2000 words (Spring Semester)
- 40% Exam 1 (1-hour): 40 MCQs (Spring Semester) 1 hour
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The aims of this module are:1. to introduce students to handling data2. to provide training in the use of standard packages for data handling and analysis (Excel and a statistical package)3. to equip students with the statistical concepts required to describe and summarise data4. to develop the skills to analyse the relationships between data5. to develop the skills to present complex information visually, in charts and tables, and to appreciate how these could be presented spatially6. to apply these skills and concepts to explore and report on data7. to provide students with the grounding in the practical and technical skills necessary to support their work throughout their degree in Environmental Science 8. to provide a basis for technical aspects of modules, both core and optional, in the last two years.Learning Outcomes
a. Knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to:
• appreciate the types of data available, how it is collected, prepared and made available, and the analytical and reporting techniques applied for research and policy applications
• understand and be able to describe data handling and quantitative statistical methods for the analysis of environmental data
• know which methods to apply for the statistical analysis of environmental data
b. Intellectual Skills
Students will be able to
• engage with statistical and quantitative modes of analysis a to a level where the student can apply these techniques to their own data and evaluate their use in the work of other scholars
c. Professional Practical SkillsStudents will be able to:
• identify, acquire and prepare environmental data for analysis
• apply quantitative statistical methods to the description and analysis of environmental data
• summarise and report on the results of their analysis in writing supported by the use of techniques and software to visualise the results of their analysis
d. Transferable SkillsStudents will be able to:
• access and manage quantitative data
• use Excel and a statistical software package to analyse and present their results in report format
• work with peers to design data collection, analysis and reporting of data
Conveners
- Dr Nicholas Hamm