GEOG 474: Quantitative Methods in Geography, Fall 2004

Syllabus and Exercise Outline

Instructor

Office

Electronic Mail

Phone

Office Hours

Dr. Rob Hellström

301, Conant Science

rhellstrom@bridgew.edu

(508) 531-2842

MWR 11 AM-12; or by appointment

MA110 Elementary Statistics or equivalent course with consent of instructor. Attention to detail and persistence are valuable traits for success.

Meeting

Call #

Day, Time

Place

Lecture

90966

T & R 1:40-2:55 PM

#208 Science Bldg.

This text contains reading material, charts, tables and diagrams necessary to complete this course. The workbook contains data, figures and maps that you will use to complete your exercises. Both are available at the Bridgewater State College bookstore:

• McGrew, J. C., and C. B. Monroe, 2000: An Introduction to Statistical Problem Solving in Geography. 2^nd Ed., McGraw-Hill. 254 pp.
• McGrew, J. C., and C. B. Monroe, 2000: Workbook to accompany An Introduction to Statistical Problem Solving in Geography. 2^nd Ed., McGraw-Hill. 143 pp.

These text resources are not required, but may be helpful (some available from Instructor, others should be in the Library):

• Rogerson, P., 2001: Statistical Methods for Geography, Sage Publications.
• Clark, I., 1979:  Practical geostatistics:  Applied science publishers.  London. 129 pp.
• Draper, N. R., and H. Smith, 1998: Applied regression analysis. 3^rd Ed. John Wiley & Sons Inc. New York. 706 pp.
• Ripley, B. D., 1981: Spatial statistics. John Wiley & Sons. Inc. New York. 252 pp.

·       SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), User’s guide, Evolution Computing, Inc., 1999, 358 pp. (see Instructor)

·       Microsoft Excel (or other spreadsheet)

Course description

Geographers use statistical techniques to measure, describe, classify, analyze and display information (data) in search of spatial patterns and trends.  Geographers make comparisons and examine relationships to answer questions, solve problems and make wise decisions that support a particular objective. This course introduces and applies statistical techniques, and computer and model building methodology to analyze various spatial phenomena.

During this course you will learn about:

a. The nature of inquiry;

b. the value of communicating ideas with numbers and graphics;

c. standard techniques of data collection and measurement;

d. methods of classifying observable and measurable variables;

e. techniques of summarizing and describing data; and

f. techniques of using sampling and statistical testing to make inference and estimates of large data sets.

After completing this course you will be able to:

1. Select appropriate quantitative methods to describe, explain, and predict spatially distributed variables and data;

2. describe how to classify variables and types of data to examine spatial patterns and trends;

3. use basic descriptive and inferential statistical methods; and

4. create and use large data sets and statistical techniques to describe and explain various human and physical associations.

The Blackboard (http://plato.bridgew.edu/) online course system at Bridgewater State College will provide much of the material and electronic methods of communicating in this course. You will need access to a computer with and Internet Browser connection (Internet Explorer or Netscape) and the Microsoft Office sweet (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) to effectively use the GE474 Blackboard site.

You will receive instructions for accessing the GE474 Blackboard site during the first class meeting. This site will provide weekly announcements, a venue for e-mail contact with fellow students, lecture outlines, solutions to selected workbook problems and exam study materials. You may print out lecture outlines from this site prior to class meetings. On average, the instructor will devote about half the class time to lecture; the remainder will be for you to work on independent tasks and one term project (see next page for details). 

Your final grade is based on three (3) written examinations, all open book and open notes, one (1) term project and numerous weekly semi-independent exercises, of which only the best 10 will count toward your grade. Examinations contain multiple choice, short answer/analysis, and extended skills questions; information is taken from textbook and workbook material covered in the lecture and exercise outline. No makeup exams, except under extreme circumstances; you must notify instructor prior to the exam date.

·         Exam I (10%): Thursday, October 7^th, 1:40-2:55 pm.

·         Exam II (10%): Thursday, November 4^th, 1:40-2:55 pm; covers material since Exam I

·         Final Exam (10%): Thursday, December 16^th, 2:00-4:00 pm; covers material since Exam II

·         Term Project (20%): Each of you will most likely at some point collect, manage and report conclusions about a collection of data. This term project, including a 10-minute oral presentation (10% of grade) and written paper (10% of grade), will help you practice the skills necessary for success in this class.

·         You have two options of obtaining data: select a topic and option by September 23^rd

1) Observe and record something on a regular schedule

2) Obtain a data set from another source

• There are four objectives that you must demonstrate in your project

1) Search for a data set or start collecting data;

2) explore and describe the nature of the data (basic library/Internet/interview research);

3) conduct appropriate statistical analysis for the data; and

4) write a 10-15 page (double-spaced including figures and tables) report that discusses your question and hypothesis, data collection methods, spatial association or trends over time, and other important attributes. This report must not be written in 1^st person (ask the instructor for examples of research papers).

·         “Independent” Exercises (40%): You will practice the basic techniques of quantitative geography by completing weekly exercises out of your workbook (following 40 or so minutes of lecture). Exercises are given in the far right column of the Lecture and Exercise Outline. The instructor will provide details about the problems to do at the end of lectures. Important: The instructor will collect and grade your progress in your workbooks three (3) times during the semester. You will be notified one (1) week prior to each date of workbook collection. Please, put your name inside your workbook.

• The instructor will assign specific problems at end of lecture periods
• Extra time to complete exercises outside of class will be necessary.
• If you feel that you are falling behind significantly or you are unclear about any notation, formulas or concepts, make it known to your instructor immediately!
• You will need a calculator (or a spreadsheet like Excel) to complete the assignments
• You must work independently on these exercises, although you may ask your instructor and classmates for help (no copying of work, please; you will suffer on Exams).

·            Attendance and participation (10 %): Use the last 20-30 minutes of each class to work.

You are highly encouraged to attend all class meetings as scheduled in the course Outline. Role will be called periodically, as required by the school. If you cannot attend a particular class, please contact the instructor prior to that class period, so that you can obtain necessary materials.

·       You must have a simple scientific calculator (a complicated one, if you know how to use it)

·       You should have a 3.5” floppy diskette or CD-RW disk to store your project on

Any student eligible for and needing academic adjustments or accommodations because of a disability is requested to speak with the professor within the first two weeks of scheduled classes. At any time during the semester, feel free to contact the Office of Disability Resources in the Academic Achievement Center, located in the basement of the Maxwell Library 001 (508) 531-1214.

“In compliance with Bridgewater State College policy and equal access legislation, I am available to discuss appropriate accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Requests for academic accommodations should be made during the add/drop period, unless there are unusual circumstances, so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Students are encouraged to register with the Disability Resources Office in the Maxwell Library for disability verification and determination of reasonable academic accommodations.”