Quantitative Methods in Geography
Overview
- Introduction
- quantitative geography
- statistics
- types of data a levels of measurement
- measurement and collection of data
- Visualization of data
- tables, graphs and maps
- Descriptive statistics
- central tendency
- variability
- Spatial data analysis
- areal and point data
- directional statistics
- geographic centres
- point pattern analysis
- Probability theory and distributions
- random variables
- discrete probability distributions
- continuous probability distributions
- Sampling and populations
- types of samples
- sources of error
- sampling distributions
- geographic sampling
- Parametric inferential statistics
- Central Limit Theorem
- estimation
- hypothesis testing
- t-tests
- confidence intervals
- statistical significance
- Nonparametric statistics
- comparison of parametric and nonparametric tests
- Chi-Square tests
- Correlation
- Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient
- nonparametric correlation coefficients
- spatial autocorrelation
- Regression
- simple linear regression model
- goodness of fit
- assumptions of linear regression
- non-linear regression models
- multiple regression analysis
- Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
- Time series analysis
- characteristics of time series
- data homogeneity
- smoothing
The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following: lecture, labs, observation, analysis and interpretation of geographic data, multimedia, individual and/or team projects and small group discussions.
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria during the first week of classes.
Evaluation will include some of the following:
- Laboratory assignments with a combined value of up to 50%.
- Multiple choice and short answer exams with a combined value of up to 50%.
- A term project with a value of up to 25%.
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
Assignments | 40% |
Midterm Exam | 25% |
Final Exam | 25% |
Term Project | 10% |
Total | 100% |
At the conclusion of the course, the successful student will be able to:
- Explain the role of quantitative information in geographic research and applications.
- Demonstrate an understanding of descriptive statistics and regression methods as they apply to problem solving in Geography.
- Perform data manipulation, statistical calculations and graphical presentation by hand, and using computer spreadsheets or statistical software (e.g. Excel, SPSS).
- Evaluate the roles of probability theory and sampling distributions in drawing inferences about populations based on samples.
- Identify when and where statistical procedures are appropriate.
Texts will be updated periodically. Typical examples are:
- Haan, M. and Godley, J. (2017). An Introduction to Statistics for Canadian Social Scientists. Oxford.
- Harris, R. and C. Jarvis (2011). Statistics for Geography and Environmental Science. Pearson.
- Rogerson, P.A. (2010). Statistical Methods for Geography: A Student's Guide. Sage.
- Shafer, D.S. and Z. Zhang (2012). Beginning Statistics. Open source textbook: http://2012books.lardbucket.org/
Requisites
Course Guidelines
Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Course Transfers to Other Institutions
Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.
Institution | Transfer details for GEOG 2251 |
---|---|
Athabasca University (AU) | AU MGSC 2XX (3) |
Camosun College (CAMO) | CAMO GEOG 216 (3) |
Capilano University (CAPU) | CAPU GEOG 2XX (3) |
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) | KPU GEOG 2390 (3) |
Langara College (LANG) | LANG GEOG 2XXX (3) |
Simon Fraser University (SFU) | SFU GEOG 251 (3) |
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU GEOG 2700 (3) |
Trinity Western University (TWU) | TWU GEOG 2XX (3) |
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) | UBCO GEOG_O 271 (3) |
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) | UBCV GEOG_V 2nd (3) |
University of Northern BC (UNBC) | UNBC STAT 240 (3) |
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) | UFV GEOG 252 (3) |
University of Victoria (UVIC) | UVIC GEOG 226 (1.5) |
Vancouver Island University (VIU) | VIU GEOG 221 (3) |
Course Offerings
Fall 2025
CRN | Days | Instructor | Status | More details |
---|---|---|---|---|
CRN
34103
|
Tue | Instructor last name
Runnalls
Instructor first name
Kathy
|
Course status
Open
|
GEOG 2251-001 is considered UT Statistics for Associate Degrees. Prerequisite is one 1100-level Geography course, or permission of instructor.
CRN | Days | Instructor | Status | More details |
---|---|---|---|---|
CRN
36544
|
Wed | Instructor last name
Runnalls
Instructor first name
Kathy
|
Course status
Open
|
GEOG 2251-002 is considered UT Statistics for Associate Degrees. Prerequisite is one 1100-level Geography course, or permission of instructor