Quantitative Methods in Geography

This course in an introduction to the use of quantitative information in geography, including data collection, management, and analysis. Analytical procedures will include graphical presentation of data, descriptive statistics, application of probability and sampling theory, and inferential statistics. Examples will be taken from both physical and human geography. Computers and data analysis software will be used.

Course Content

1. Introduction
   • quantitative geography
   • statistics
   • nominal, ordinal, interval data
   • primary and secondary data
   • measurement and collection of data                    
2. Visualization of data
   • tables, graphs and maps
3. Descriptive statistics
   • central tendency
   • variability
4. Spatial data analysis
   • areal and point data
   • directional statistics
5.   Probability theory and distributions
   • random variables
   • discrete probability distributions
   • continuous probability distributions
6. Sampling and populations
   • types of samples
   • random sampling
   • sampling distributions
   • geographic sampling
7. Parametric inferential statistics
   • estimation
   • hypothesis testing
   • t-tests
   • confidence intervals
   • statistical significance
8. Nonparametric statistics
   • comparison of parametric and nonparametric tests
   • examples of nonparametric tests
9. Correlation
   • Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient
   • nonparametric correlation coefficients
   • spatial autocorrelation
10. Regression
    • simple linear regression model
    • goodness of fit
    • assumptions of  linear regression
    • non-linear regression models
    • multiple regression analysis
11. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
12. Chi-Square testing
13. Time series analysis
    • characteristics of time series
    • data homogeneity
    • smoothing

Methods of Instruction

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.

Means of Assessment

The evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College 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:

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be  able to:

1. Explain the role of quantitative information in geographic research and applications
2. Demonstrate an understanding of  basic descriptive statistics and regression methods as they apply to problem solving in Geography
3. Perform basic data manipulation, statistical calculations and graphical presentation by hand, and using computer spreadsheets or statistical software (e.g. Excel, SPSS)
4. Evaluate the roles of probability theory and sampling distributions in drawing inferences about populations based on samples
5. Identify when and where statistical procedures are appropriate

One 1100-level Geography course, or permission of instructor

Below shows how this course and its credits transfer within the BC transfer system. 

A course is considered university-transferable (UT) if it transfers to at least one of the five research universities in British Columbia: University of British Columbia; University of British Columbia-Okanagan; Simon Fraser University; University of Victoria; and the University of Northern British Columbia.

For more information on transfer visit the BC Transfer Guide and BCCAT websites.

If your course prerequisites indicate that you need an assessment, please see our Assessment page for more information.