DGA006 Theory and Research Methods in Geography Education

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2022
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 10 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Petr Knecht, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Michaela Spurná, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Petr Knecht, Ph.D.
Department of Geography – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Kateřina Brabcová
Supplier department: Department of Geography – Faculty of Education
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
The course is an introduction to methodologies and methods of research in geography education . It shows subject-specific approaches to research in geography education and basic thematic areas.
The aim is to enable students to develop deeper knowledge and understanding of research in geography education  : a) research topics and questions b) research methods and techniques c) methodological standards in the field (the size of the research sample, validity and reliability) d) data processing and presentation of results.
After completing the course, students:
• Will describe subject-specific approaches to research in geography education and critically evaluate research themes and approaches widely used in the Czech Republic and abroad.
• Will explain the essence of basic research methods and techniques (quantitative and qualitative), assess their relevance and limitations in relation to research topics relevant for geography education.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students: • Will describe subject-specific approaches to research in geography education and critically evaluate research themes and approaches widely used in the Czech Republic and abroad. • Will explain the essence of basic and advanced research methods and techniques (quantitative and qualitative), assess their relevance and limitations in relation to research topics relevant to geography education.
Key topics
  • Methodologies of education, psychology, sociology and other social sciences and their relationship to   research in geography education.
  • 2. Basic concepts. Importance and applications of research in geography education. Selected theories in   geographical and educational research.
  • 3. Specificity of research in research in geography education. Research topics and themes. Sources   of research in research in geography education: Journals, online databases. Institutions.
  • 4. Research methods and techniques in geography didactics   (observation, interview, questionnaire, experiment etc.).
  • 5. Application of particular designs in geography education research (case studies, action research, ethnographic approaches, hermeneutics, meta-analyses etc.). Critical analysis of research.
  • 6. International comparative research in geography education.
  • 7. Special methods for collecting, processing and analyzing data in geography education research. Software.
  • 8. Standards for research studies (validity, reliability etc.). Ethical aspects of research in geography education.
Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • Studie z časopisů: International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education; Journal of Geography; Geography; Zeitschrift für Geographiedidaktik./Journal of Geography Education; Geography in Higher Education
  • Debates in geography education. Edited by David Lambert - Mark Jones. 1st pub. New York: Routledge, 2013, xvi, 320. ISBN 9780415687799. info
    not specified
  • Key methods in geography. Edited by Shaun French - Thomas W. Gillespie - Meghan Cope - N. J. Clifford. Third edition. Los Angeles: SAGE, 2016, xxx, 722. ISBN 9781446298602. info
  • Geographiedidaktische Forschungsmethoden. Edited by Alexandra Budke - Miriam Kuckuck. Berlin: Lit, 2015, xi, 470. ISBN 9783643131218. info
  • Geography, education and the future. Edited by Graham Butt. 1st pub. New York, N.Y.: Continuum, 2011, xvi, 267. ISBN 9781847064981. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
lectures, class discussion, group projects, homework, reading
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Based justification and objectives of the proposed aims and objective of a particular doctoral research students will suggest, justify and defend a) the theoretical background of their research, b)   what the proposed project contributes to   development of selected theories, c)   what is the subject-specific issue determined in the project, d) measures ensuring the fulfillment of ethical standards relevant for the intended dissertation research.
Language of instruction
English
Teacher's information
Bednarz, S. W., Heffron, S., & Huynh, N. T. (2013). A road map for 21st century geography education: Geography education research. Washington: Association of American Geographers.
Butt, G. (2010). Which methods are best suited to the production of high-quality research in geography education? International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19(2), 103-107.
Catling, S. (2010). Sources of evidence for conducting research in geography education. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19(2), 97–101.
Lambert, D. (2010). Geography education research and why it matters. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19(2), 83–86.
Roberts, M. (2010). What is “evidence-based practice” in geography education? International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19(2), 91–95.
Williams, M. (2003). Research in geographical education: the search for impact. In R. Gerber (Ed.), International handbook on geographical education (s. 259–272). Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Williams, M. (Ed.). (1995). Understanding geographical and environmental education. The role of research. London: Cassell.
Studie z časopisů: International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education; Journal of Geography; Geography; Zeitschrift für Geographiedidaktik./Journal of Geography Education; Geography in Higher Education
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms autumn 2020, Spring 2021, Autumn 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Autumn 2023, Spring 2024, Autumn 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2022/DGA006