GEOG0013: Geography in the Field 1 (GIF1) 2024/25
Welcome to Introduction to Statistics
Welcome to GIF1’s Introduction to Statistics. So far you have been introduced to the core tenets and principles of geography taught through the different themes touching on physical sciences (e.g., coastal and rivers) and social sciences (e.g., ethnographic methods and urbanism). This session focuses on the themes of statistics (i.e., data analysis). Here, we will provide you with an introduction to the basic statistical methods for exploring & representing secondary data from Barcelona, using a programming software tool known as R/RStudio, as well as using R/RStudio to introduce you to the basics of probability distributions and how they can be use for making predictions.
Getting started with the learning process (Length: 13:50 minutes)
Watch on YouTube [LINK]
Structure
The structure of this component of GIF1 is a series of two 3-hour workshop that will be delivered in-person. All students have been allocated to one of these groups (i.e., group A, B, C, D, E, F or G). The workshops will take place on the following dates:
Week 7, Workshop 1 - Introduction to RStudio & Descriptive Analysis:
- Wednesday 20th November, 09:00am-12:00pm for groups A, B and C
- Friday 22nd November, 02:00pm-05:00pm for groups D, E F and G
| Group | Location |
|---|---|
| A | Bedford Way (26) Room 316 (Public Cluster), Map |
| B | Foster Court, Room B29 (Public Cluster), Map |
| C | IOE, Bedford Way (20) Room 790, Map |
| D | Chadwick Building, Room 2.23 (Public Cluster) Map |
| E | IOE, Bedford Way (20) Room 425 (PC Lab 2), Map |
| F | Foster Court, Room 233, Map |
| G | UCL GOSICH - Wolfson Centre Room D (Ground Floor), Map |
Week 8, Workshop 2 - Introduction to Distributions:
- Wednesday 27th November, 09:00am-12:00pm for groups A, B and C
- Friday 29th November, 02:00pm-05:00pm for groups D, E F and G
| Group | Location |
|---|---|
| A | Bedford Way (26) Room 316 (Public Cluster), Map |
| B | Foster Court, Room B29 (Public Cluster), Map |
| C | IOE, Bedford Way (20) Room 790, Map |
| D | Chadwick Building, Room 2.23 (Public Cluster) Map |
| E | IOE, Bedford Way (20) Room 425 (PC Lab 2), Map |
| F | Foster Court, Room 233, Map |
| G | UCL GOSICH - Wolfson Centre Room D (Ground Floor), Map |
IMPORTANT NOTES: The locations for groups A, B, D and E are public clusters with PC workstations. Nevertheless, I highly recommend you bring your own laptop to the computer practicals for ease. The locations for groups C, F and G are seminar rooms without PC workstations, and so please bring your own laptops.
Self-guided tutorials
You have been given early access to the content. Prior to the workshops which will be supported by the teaching assistants (PGTAs), you are welcome to go through the self-guided tutorials presented on this website at your own pace. The teaching materials have been designed to be accessible to anyone who has never used RStudio in their life. It is also accessible to anyone who has never done statistics before as well. With that being said, we are introducing you to the absolute basics of R-programming and statistics. Hence, these tutorials are prescriptive with instructions which are further supported by guided videos.
Questions & Discusson Forum on Moodle
On Moodle, you can use the Forum: Questions and Discussion platform to post general questions about the content on this webpage, or for posting problems on technical issues you have encountered during your self-guided study. I, or one of the PGTAs will respond accordingly with solutions. Students are welcome to engage and support each other in-person and/or through this forum during this self-study time, and so kindly use the forum on Moodle - thank you! Please do not send direct emails to Helen, Geography Office or me for resolving technical problems - we will only respond to emails on critical matters (e.g., personal problems, illness, etc.,).