Research Methods And Field Trip
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 79 pages
- 9 units
This course introduces students to scientific inquiry in environmental science and resource management. It covers research principles, methodologies, and techniques for addressing environmental problems. Students will learn about data collection, analysis, and interpretation, as well as the importance of validity and reliability in research. The course also explores different types of research, including descriptive, correlation, explanatory, and exploratory approaches, and guides students through the research proposal process.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 120 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study, research
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Field trip report
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ESM304, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ESM304 · UNIT 1 ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AS A WAY OF THINKING
In this file, you will find the details of the work you must submit to your tutor for marking. The marks you obtain for these course assignments will count towards the final mark you obtain for this course. Further information on assignments will be found in the assignment file itself and later in this course guide in this course.
What you should be able to do
- Define and apply key research concepts in environmental science.
- Develop a research proposal for an environmental study.
- Design and implement data collection methods.
- Analyze and interpret environmental data.
- Evaluate the validity and reliability of research findings.
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Consultant
- Research Scientist
- Environmental Manager
- Environmental Impact Assessor
- Environmental Activist
- Environmental Consulting
- Government Agencies
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Research Institutions
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2:
Unit 1: Concepts in Environmental Research
Understanding the nuances between pure and applied research requires critical thinking and practical examples.
- Module 3:
Unit 2: Research Design
Formulating a research design requires a deep understanding of research methodologies and their application to specific environmental problems.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 81 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Environmental Research as a Way of Thinking · 3 hours
Understand the role of environmental research in addressing environmental problems.. Identify questions relevant to environmental research.. Examine the role of environmental research from different perspectives (e.g., environmental impact assessor, oil and gas worker)..
Unit 2: Elements of Research · 3 hours
Identify the key elements of a research report: abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, references, and appendices.. Understand the purpose and content of each element.. Practice writing a concise and informative abstract..
- Week 2Module 2:
Unit 1: Concepts in Environmental Research · 3 hours
Differentiate between validity and reliability in research.. Define subjectivity and bias in research.. Identify and describe different types of research (pure, applied, descriptive, correlation, explanatory, exploratory)..
- Week 3Module 2:
Unit 2: The Eight-Step Model of Research Process · 3 hours
Understand the eight-step model of the research process.. Learn how to formulate a research problem.. Conceptualize a research design and construct a data collection instrument..
- Week 4Module 2:
Unit 3: The Role of Data Analysis in Research · 3 hours
Understand the role of data analysis in research.. Learn about different data analysis techniques and their applications.. Identify potential problems in data analysis, such as the modifiable areal unit problem and spurious relationships..
- Week 5Module 3:
Unit 1: The Need for Research Proposal · 3 hours
Understand the importance of a research proposal.. Learn how to generate ideas for a research proposal.. Identify the key components of a research proposal..
- Week 6Module 3:
Unit 2: Research Design · 3 hours
Understand the different types of research designs (survey and experimental).. Learn about the characteristics of environmental studies.. Understand the importance of sampling design and procedures..
- Week 7Module 4:
Unit 1: Validity and Reliability · 3 hours
Differentiate between validity and reliability.. Learn how to pretest a data collection schedule.. Understand the importance of defining terms and concepts in research..
- Week 8Module 4:
Unit 2: Field Trip · 3 hours
Understand the logistics and instructions for the field trip.. Prepare for the field trip by reviewing major environmental concepts.. Learn how to relate facts and concepts from course materials to observations in the field..
- Week 9Module 1:
Unit 1: Environmental Research as a Way of Thinking · 6 hours
Review Module 1: Environmental Research as a Way of Thinking and Elements of Research. Revise all TMAs. Prepare for upcoming examination.
Unit 2: Elements of Research · 6 hours
Review Module 1: Environmental Research as a Way of Thinking and Elements of Research. Revise all TMAs. Prepare for upcoming examination.
- Week 10Module 2:
Unit 1: Concepts in Environmental Research · 6 hours
Review Module 2: Concepts in Environmental Research, The Eight-Step Model of Research Process, and The Role of Data Analysis in Research. Revise all TMAs. Prepare for upcoming examination.
Unit 2: The Eight-Step Model of Research Process · 6 hours
Review Module 2: Concepts in Environmental Research, The Eight-Step Model of Research Process, and The Role of Data Analysis in Research. Revise all TMAs. Prepare for upcoming examination.
- Week 11Module 2:
Unit 3: The Role of Data Analysis in Research · 6 hours
Review Module 2: Concepts in Environmental Research, The Eight-Step Model of Research Process, and The Role of Data Analysis in Research. Revise all TMAs. Prepare for upcoming examination.
- Week 12Module 3:
Unit 1: The Need for Research Proposal · 6 hours
Review Module 3: The Need for Research Proposal and Research Design. Revise all TMAs. Prepare for upcoming examination.
Unit 2: Research Design · 6 hours
Review Module 3: The Need for Research Proposal and Research Design. Revise all TMAs. Prepare for upcoming examination.
- Week 13Module 4:
Unit 1: Validity and Reliability · 6 hours
Review Module 4: Validity and Reliability and Field Trip. Revise all TMAs. Prepare for upcoming examination.
Unit 2: Field Trip · 6 hours
Review Module 4: Validity and Reliability and Field Trip. Revise all TMAs. Prepare for upcoming examination.
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key concepts and methodologies.
- Practice writing research proposals based on different environmental scenarios.
- Review data analysis techniques and their applications in environmental research.
- Familiarize yourself with case studies discussed in the course material.
- Practice applying research methods to real-world environmental problems.
- Create concept maps linking Modules 1-4 research concepts.
- Review all TMAs and assignments, focusing on areas where you received lower scores.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ESM304 about?
This course introduces students to scientific inquiry in environmental science and resource management. It covers research principles, methodologies, and techniques for addressing environmental problems. Students will learn about data collection, analysis, and interpretation, as well as the importance of validity and reliability in research. The course also explores different types of research, including descriptive, correlation, explanatory, and exploratory approaches, and guides students through the research proposal process.
How many units does ESM304 have?
ESM304, Research Methods And Field Trip, has 9 units across 4 modules, over 79 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ESM304?
ESM304 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is ESM304 hard?
ESM304 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical, case study and research work, and it has a practical component.
How long does ESM304 take to study?
About 120 hours of study, spread across its 9 units.
How is ESM304 assessed?
ESM304 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments, field trip report and final examination.
What can I do with ESM304?
Environmental Consultant, Research Scientist, Environmental Manager, Environmental Impact Assessor and Environmental Activist.