Independent Research in Geography GEH 490
Workshop in GISc Research GEP 690
4 credits;
Instructor: Dr. Juliana Maantay; tel: (718) 960-8574; e-mail: maantay@aol.com
Class Meeting Place: Gillet, Room 315 (Cartography Lab);
Class Meeting Times: TBA; Class participants will meet at least four scheduled times, and as needed.

Course Description:
This course is intended to provide the student with a solid grounding in research design and methodology by designing and conducting a GIS research project. Projects are to be substantive and original research efforts conforming to generally acceptable professional geographical practices and techniques.

Required Reading:
"Introduction to Scientific Geographic Research," by L Haring, JF Lounsbury, JW Frazier, 1992, Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Dubuque, IA (Available at Lehman College Bookstore)

Course Timetable:

Week 1 - Meet to discuss course requirements, reading materials, and preliminary research concepts

Weeks 1-4:
Read Chapters 1, 2, and 3 ("The Nature of Scientific Research," "Defining Geographic Problems," and "Formation of the Research Design");
· Select research topic, and conduct literature review on topic, examine other research on topic;
· Prepare written Initial Research Design, including hypothesis or questions to be answered;
· Conduct a Preliminary Data Needs Assessment and Data Acquisition;

Week 5 - Presentation of Preliminary Research Design and literature review

Weeks 5-8:
Read Chapters 4 and 6 ("Acquisition of Relevant Data," and "Analysis of Data");
· Refine research methodology;
· Capture and input necessary data;
· Preliminary data analysis;

Week 9 - Interim Progress Report on research projects

Weeks 9-12:
Read Chapter 7 ("Automation in Geographic Research: Searching Sources, Information Capture, Mapping, and GIS");
· Analysis of data;
· Preliminary map and charts production;
· Prepare preliminary findings;

Week 13 - Presentation of Research Results

Week 13-15:
Read Chapter 8 ("Writing Geographic Research Reports");
· Prepare final maps and charts and written report of findings;

Week 15 - Final Project Due (all materials to be submitted no later than December 19, 2001)