GIS 390 Applied Research Methods involves the design and planning of a project idea from initial concept to anticipated final outputs. Topics include an overview of the steps necessary to successfully integrate GIS into the project decision-making process. Specific skills will be developed in project scoping and research proposal development, reference material management, and project presentation methods, including oral, poster, and written project documents. This course is a prerequisite for Co-op 301, GIS 491, and GIS 492.
Prerequisites: Admission into ADGIS/BGIS program
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | 1.00 |
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| Total Hours | 15 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 1 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- apply the fundamentals of developing and presenting an applied research proposal in a written, poster, and oral format;
- identify and explore key issues and concepts in a GIS area of interest;
- propose the relevant process and GIS tools to complete a proposed project;
- work individually and in collaborative teams to scope, develop, and propose a relevant original research project objective from an identified background problem;
- communicate effectively with peers, other faculty, and community members;
- identify key players in government, industry, and/or stakeholder groups in their area of study;
- locate information from the reference collection of the Selkirk College library, and information from reputable internet sources; and
- interact in a professional and timely manner with industry representatives, faculty, and other students.
Teaching and Learning Approach
n/aLearning Resources
Required:
McMillan VE. 2020. Writing papers in the biological sciences. Seventh edition. Boston New York: bedford/st.
martin´s Macmillan Learning.
Recommended:
Booth WC, Colomb GG, Williams JM. 2009. The Craft of Research, Third Edition. University of Chicago Press.Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Orientation
2. What is research? Types of research, you as a researcher, writing as a tool
3. Questions and exploring the background – online and on- the-ground resources
4. Working with references (work on your own)
5. Scoping a project, experiments, scientific method/protocol, research paper vs. review
6. Methods: analysis, and presentation of data: Excel tools
7. Methods: analysis, and presentation of data: Excel tools
8. Anatomy of a research proposal / Research ethics
9. Creating a poster presentation of your research
10. Creating a useful oral presentation, blackboards, Powerpoint, Prezi, and other tools
11. GIS Day conference
12. Methods: analysis, and visualisation of data: an introduction to R
13. Methods: analysis, and visualisation of data: an introduction to R
14. Individual research proposal worktime
15. Exams startAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
|---|
| Major tasks (literature review, group presentation, research proposal) | | 60% |
| Minor tasks | | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.