GIS and Quantitative methods

This methodology course covers fundamentals of statistical quantitative methods and the use of geographic information systems (GIS) within those methods. Students will learn how to statistically analyze quantitative data and geographical data, and how to visualize them in a GIS environment. Specifically, students gain insight into how to use descriptive statistics (average measures, dispersion measures, correlation measures and simple regression) to geographical issues using R programming language.

A student who has completed the course is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

• has basic knowledge of statistical quantitative methods;
• understands the whole research design framework;
• is able to formulate coherent research questions, identify appropriate research enumeration units and collect, analyze and spatially visualize geographic quantitative data within geographic information systems (GIS).

Skills:

• can critically assess and process, analyze and present quantitative data using statistical software packages and geographic information systems (GIS).
• can use data for statistical analyses and GIS-related presentations in professionally relevant contexts

General competence:

• can develop new and critical socially relevant knowledge, as well as work independently with statistical and GIS-based data and presentations.

Up to 18 hours lectures, and 18 hours practical Statistics and GIS exercises.

The course is taught in English, but there is an opportunity to submit mandatory activities and exams in a Scandinavian language or English.