SUSTAINABILTY RESEARCH METHODS 2 - 2026/7

Module Overview

This module complements Sustainability Research Methods 1 and further develops students' knowledge and experience of the research methods used by human societies to understand and operate in the environment. Via a case study approach, students are introduced to a range of research methods including surveys and questionnaire design. Students will gain experience in designing, collecting, producing, and analysing their own research data on case studies relating to sustainable development. The questionnaires students design will be required to demonstrate research ethics and other considerations, such as potential cultural differences amongst research subjects and compilance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules as introduced in the Sustainability Research Methods 1 module. This module introduces students to quantitative data analysis and the use of Excel, R and GenAI. Students can use research methods learnt in this module in subsequent modules and their dissertation for data gathering and data analysis.

Module provider

School of Engineering

Module Leader

SEYMOUR Valentine (Sch of Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Research methodologies

Literature reviews

Designing research and finding participants

Questionnaire design

Sampling theory and practice

Excel for statistical analysis

R for statistical analysis

Challenges of interdisciplinary working

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the collection, analysis and reporting of quantitative data using one quantitative research method. The summative assessment for this module consists of: Questionnaire design: Students prepare a short questionnaire on a topic of their choice. Research report: Students prepare a research report based on data collected and analysed. Formative assessment and feedback: During the module, students have the opportunity to present an outline of their survey design to their peers in small groups and receive formative feedback from their peers and the lecturer. Students can prepare a draft research report to discuss with the lecturer and receive verbal feedback on the planned structure.

Module aims

• Provide students with a basic understanding of a range of approaches to data collection and data analysis
• To give students the opportunity to apply research methods by collecting data and analysing the data on a case study topic relating to sustainable development.
• Introduce students to statistical data analysis via Excel and R.
• Explore the challenges of interdisciplinary research and working

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Develop skills in research through the development of and running of a small quantitative survey.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Lectures (11 hours), captured content (11 hours), seminars (11 hours) and computer labs (6 hours).


Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG1110

Other information

The Centre for Environment and Sustainability is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience, in line with the Surrey Curriculum Framework. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas: Sustainability: A range of sustainable development related case studies are tackled in this module. Global and cultural capabilities: Having intercultural awareness is critical when collecting data via questionnaires. The importance of being aware of intercultural differences when planning and conducting quantitative research is discussed in lectures. Digital capabilities: Students are encouraged to consider the use of digital technologies when collecting research data. Issues relating to the use of digital tools when collecting data, such as the impact of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules on the use of such tools are discussed in class. Students are taught basic programming in R in this module along with the use of Excel.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.