After completion of the course, the student is able to:
- demarcate a research topic and formulate research questions
- write a research proposal
- perform fieldwork to gather data
- apply basic quantitative statistical methods (t-tests, Mann-Whitney U-tests, simple linear regression, spearman correlation)
- Enter and process spatial data in a GIS environment
- collaborate with groups in integrating the data in an online shared GIS environment
- write a scientific research report
- integrate insights with the insights of others
- develop policy recommendations based on the research outcomes
|
|
In the integrative research project you will go through all steps of a research cycle and will do a multidisciplinary field study on the Wadden island Texel. In the first part of the course, you formulate research questions and will write a research proposal together with your group members. After this, all groups will spend 6 days on Texel to gather different types of data related to the four tracks within the bachelor. Every day you will perform one type of measurement to get acquainted with multiple research techniques that are relevant for multidisciplinary research. After the fieldwork you will have experience with:
- measuring amounts of plastic pollution on beaches;
- measuring the plant species composition and cover of dune vegetation;
- calculating the energy use reduction potential of the island;
- performing surveys with tourists and local residents about their willingness to adopt more sustainable behavior;
- carrying out in-depth interviews with private sector parties that are relevant for Texel’s sustainable development.
You will also learn to insert the data you gathered in an online GIS environment, that allows to share and integrate the data with the other groups. In the last part of the course, students will analyze the data to answer their own research question(s). To finish the course you will write a scientific research report and will formulate policy recommendations for the local government or other stakeholders on the island that are relevant to reach sustainability targets.
Academic skills:
- Formulating research questions
- Scientific writing
- Group collaboration
- Presenting
- Data gathering and integration
This course is an entry requirement for:
- Global Integration Project (GEO2-2417)
- Bachelor’s thesis GSS (GEO3-2422)
- Consultancy Project (GEO3-2423)
|
 |
|