AQA Geography Geog2

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Contents 1.The skillset for GEOG2 2.What can you expect to be asked on GEOG2 3.Some answers to show you how it might be done? 4.A summary of the presentation techniques GEOG2

description

A full effort to brief students on the Joy of Geog2. AS Geography core element x

Transcript of AQA Geography Geog2

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Contents

1.The skillset for GEOG22.What can you expect to be asked on

GEOG23.Some answers to show you how it might

be done?4.A summary of the presentation

techniques

GEOG2

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THE SKILLSET FOR GEOG2

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THE SKILLSET FOR GEOG2

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THE SKILLSET FOR GEOG2

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GEOG2 qu.2

GEOG2 QUESTION 2 – THE ENQUIRY PROCESS

AIM Sub hypothesis

Data collection

Data Presentation

AnalysisResults & Conclusions

Risk Assessment

Location

Theory

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THE ENQUIRY PROCESS

Some Advice Specifically use the fieldwork practice in GEOG2 Question 2

o Use clear evidence that you have experienced the investigative process e.g. detail of sampling techniques used, names of locations where sampling took place etc o The assumption must be that you have not just undertaken the fieldwork but that you will have written it up – in the interests of the subject we will forgo a formal write up stage.

The Personal Fieldwork Investigation has the following task:

“....investigation of a geographical argument, assertion, hypothesis, issue or problem..” The stages of the “Enquiry Process” 1. The “aim”, “research question” or “hypotheses”

The “aim” is what you are trying to achieve overall in your fieldwork location. This will depend on the time, environmental conditions, equipment and risk assessment. The “hypothesis” is a statement and more significantly the “null hypothesis” is a statement the highest quality of statement to form at the base of an investigation.

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1. THE “AIM”, “RESEARCH QUESTION” OR “HYPOTHESES”

For any Investigation there will always be a; “Locational Context” that pertains to the area within which the study is to take place and a “Theoretical Context” That refers to the theory base of the investigation. It is important to recognise all potential sources of data on ether of these themes. This must include and range from GIS to personal visits. From the outset is important that Risk Assessment has featured heavily in the planning of the investigation. All Risk Assessments follow the same sequence: • Recognition of hazard • Recognition of Risk• Development of Risk mitigation strategiesAfter recognising every potential risk and assessment should be done of the likely impact of the risk and the likelihood of the event occurring. Then a mitigation strategy needs to be developed.

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2. METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION

To attempt any answering or refuting of assertions requires the gathering of data. As it is (usually) impossible to gather the full set of data from anywhere (the “population”) sampling must feature at the beginning of this stage.

The sampling techniques that could be considered: Random, Systematic, Stratified or Clustered ( a form of stratification). You will need to explain the pros and cons of the technique used relative to the others. In addition any technique must be piloted.

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2. METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION

There is no excuse for not knowing in detail the reasons for everything that has been done to gather information.

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3. DATA PRESENTATION

The simple aim of all data presentation is to allow trends and patterns to be seen. This should also through up anomalies that may be of more importance as they often yield significant geographical issues.

Principles for this section: • Variety of appropriate forms • Differentiate between cartographic or graphical methods as the

most suitable • Annotated photographs have great value – be able to explain

why. • Excel, repeated use of “Chart Wizard” leads to inappropriate

masses of graphs that may have limited value • Quantitative and Qualitative techniques are always to be used • Integrate the presentation in with the analysis – an

improvement on a “Data Presentation” section

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4. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Collation is the first stage – look at everything and look again. Draw simple conclusions from each piece of data presentation. The highest level skill is to make links between data sets.

Find and state patterns, relationship and clear anomalies.

Be able to refer how ICT can have helped such as using multi-layering of maps to show relationships. This of course is taken one step further with layers in GIS such as Google Earth.

Be able to comment on the use of GIS in the exam.

Fully complete any statistical test to include significance testing. Always refer back to the original questions, aims, hypotheses etc. Evaluate the results with relation to any geographical theory that may be pertinent.

KNOW YOUR SPEARMAN, LOVE SIGNIFICANCE “Without significance, statistical coefficients are lost in the garden of maths.”

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5. CONCLUSION AND EVALUATION

Draw all threads together, make a final summative statement to all questions and to any over-arching hypotheses or aim. Indicate what you would do next to develop the work further, evaluate the strengths and weakness of the techniques that have been used.

Evaluate what has been done from the original aim through the method of data collection to the data presentation skills.

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STARTING POINT• Outline the aim and describe the theory, idea or concept

from which your aim was derived. • Explain the geographical concept, process or theory that

underpinned your enquiry.• Outline one source of information that you used and

assess the extent to which it was "fit for purpose".• Explain how you devised your aim and how you

responded to the risks associated with your chosen site for fieldwork .

• Describe the location of your fieldwork and explain why it was suitable for your investigation.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO BE ASKED ON GEOG2

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METHODS• Outline and justify one method of data collection that you

used. • Examine the limitations of your chosen methodology.• Outline one hypothesis and describe one methodology for

primary data collection in relation to this.• How did you respond to risks associated with

undertaking primary data collection?• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the method of

data collection.• Justify the use of sampling in your study.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO BE ASKED ON GEOG2

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SKILLS• Describe one method used to present your data. • Describe one application of ICT skills in carrying out

your fieldwork and comment on its usefulness.• Describe and illustrate one technique you used to

present data in this enquiry.• What difficulties did you face when presenting your

results? • Describe a method of presentation that you used in your

investigation and indicate how the chosen method was useful.

• Justify the use of one data presentation technique used in your study.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO BE ASKED ON GEOG2

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INTERPRETATION• What are the advantages and disadvantages of the

analysis technique(s) that you used? • Outline and justify the use of one or more techniques

used to statistically analyse your results • Name one technique of data analysis and describe how it

was used • What is meant by the term 'significance' in the analysis

of fieldwork data? • In the context of the analysis of fieldwork data, outline

the meaning of 'anomalies' . • Account for the use of statistics in your enquiry

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO BE ASKED ON GEOG2

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CONCLUSIONS• How far did your fieldwork conclusions match the

geographical theory, concept or idea on which your study was based.

• Summarise your findings and suggest how this enquiry could be improved.

• Making specific reference to your results, suggest how your enquiry could be improved.

• In what ways would your conclusions be of use to other people?

• Drawing upon your findings, explain how your enquiry improved your understanding of the topic area.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO BE ASKED ON GEOG2

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Outline the aim and describe the theory, idea or concept from which your aim was derived.

The aim of our investigation was ‘To investigate the changes in channel characteristics along the river Tillingbourne.’ The aim was created in relation to both a location context and theoretical context. Firstly the location context, the river Tillingbourne is the highest river in Southern England therefore it was decided that it would be a good area to challenge the theoretical context as due to its length it would be possible to have a large sample size .

The theoretical context was that of Bradshaw’s model, this predicts that as a river progresses downstream its channel characteristics and morphology do change, with velocity and hydraulic radius increasing but gradient decreasing .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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Explain how you devised your aim and how you responded to the risks associated with your chosen site for fieldwork.

The aim of our investigation was ‘To investigate the changes in channel characteristics along the river Tillingbourne.’ The aim was created in relation to both a location context and theoretical context. Firstly the location context, the river Tillingbourne is the highest river in Southern England therefore it was decided that it would be a good area to challenge the theoretical context as due to its length it would be possible to have a large sample size.

The theoretical context was that of Bradshaw’s model, this predicts that as a river progresses downstream its channel characteristics and morphology do change, with velocity and hydraulic radius increasing but gradient decreasing.

Before the fieldwork, three steps were taken, recognition of possible risks was discussed and a list of possible hazards was obtained, these hazards were given both a severity rating and likely hood rating from 0-10 based on the locational context, these ratings were then produced and the risks were ranked in accordance with them. Thirdly a mitigation procedure was created in order to minimise or avoid and possible risk. In our case Weils disease was both sever and likely so it was high up the list. Therefore we wore gloves and did not eat or drink the water and sanitary towels were brought along .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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Outline one source of information that you used and assess the extent to which it was “fit for purpose”.

One source of information was secondary sources that were taken from other groups exploring the same theoretical context in the same locational context, the river Tillingbourne. Therefore these sources focussed upon the same factors as our enquiry, velocity, gradient and hydraulic radius. These secondary sources were incorporated into the samples we took in order to increase sample size.

These sources were fit for purpose as they focussed on the same factors as ours, so they could be analysed in the same way, also their methodology was the same as he one used in our enquiry which meant that they two data sets were comparable.

However, the time context of the secondary sources were unknown, this meant that the river may have been at a different base level and therefore have a different wetted perimeter as well as a different velocity. This would have meant that the two data sets, primary and secondary, were incompatible as they were not effectively measuring the same stream .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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Outline and justify one method of data collection that you used

One method of data collection used was the use of a Hydroprop, an instrument comprising of an impellor and a hard brass bolt, this was placed 4cm into the river at three periodically sampled points along the cross section of the river. When the hydroprop was in position it was timed to see how long it took for the water to move the impellor from one end of the fixed length brass bolt to the other, this data was then compared against the secondary data table in order to attain the actual velocity of the water. This method can be justified as it is reliable, as it can be repeated several times as it can be at a fixed depth and the brass bolt is of a constant length it is accurate as the propellor is specifically created to precise dimensions and so is the bolt to always give accurate results when compared to the table, it is precise as the table shows velocity to 2 decimal places. Also it is quick and easy which were useful considering time constraints .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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Examine the limitations of chosen methodology.

Unfortunately the hydroprop method suffers from its locational context in relation to the river, if the river carries a large load or if there are many other persons working on the river at the same period of time as this method is used, sediment carried, perhaps in suspension, by the river is likely to get trapped between the plastic propellor and the brass bolt, this serves to nullify the method as an accurate one as it will cause a higher resistance and therefore an underestimate when compared against the calibration curve which has been constructed upon the false assumption that the propeller is almost restriction free. Another limitation of the technology is the difficulty of always finding the thalweg within the river’s horizontal plane. This piloted area which would yield the most accurate results is almost impossible to find reliably on repeated occasions. This creates a false area of accuracy and it may be piloted that it would be better to agree on a fixed depth rather than the thalweg. A limitation of the methodology is the fragility and the difficulty to set up of the instrument itself. In order to set the hydroprop up to considerable skill and it was easy to mis-assemble the apparatus; this would lead to a false result as it would not be comparable to the calibration curve. The methodology also relies on the data given on the instrument, the calibration curve, as this is not tested directly by the user, this may be incorrect and may be providing false information, and this would falsify the experiment .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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How did you respond to risks associated with undertaking primary data collection?

Before fieldwork had begun, three separate steps were taken in order to minimise and if possible remove risks associated with the primary data collection. The first step was the recognition of potential hazards and these were compiled into a list of every hazard that could possibly befall the team as data was collected. Secondly, the chance of the occurrence of these risks was analyzed and each risk was given a level of 1-10 according to how likely this hazard was to occur. Thirdly, the impact and severity of the risk was taken into account and again given a level of 1-10 depending on how severe the risk would potentially be if it occurred. These two levels were then multiplied and the list was prioritised accordingly. A mitigating procedure was then developed in order to reduce the risk as far as possible focussing primarily on those whose product had been high and therefore prioritised. An example of a risk in the river was Weil’s disease; this is both severe, with possible death and a high likelihood and therefore was prioritised highly. Our mitigating procedure included not eating and drinking near the river, washing hands after contact with river and wearing gloves in order to minimise contact with water .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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Describe a method of presentation that you used in your investigation and indicate how the chosen method was useful.

A method of presentation used to illustrate the results was the scatter graph, the presentation method involved creating two sets of axis, taking the independent variable of distance down stream on the x-axis and plotting the data for velocity, gradient and hydraulic radius on the y-axis which theory tells us will be dependent on the distance, this allows us to see readily, whether or not there is a correlation present in the data that appears to fit with the Bradshaw model. This created a graph which indicated vital factors about the results. These included: maximum/minimum, averages (mean, medium and mode) and anomalies. The scatter graph is useful as it can quickly indicate these above factors as they can easily be located, for example it was clear on the gradient scatter graph that the maximum was at the upper course and the minimum was at the lower course of the river. Also a best fit line can be created upon the diagram in order to formalise the graph and allow the trend to be seen clearer, in all these cases, our trend lines behaved according to Bradshaw’s model. This trend can then be statistically tested using spearman’s rank theorem in order to remove chance from the trend. This allows trends to be proved upon the data set .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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What difficulties did you face when presenting your results?

A difficulty associated with the usage of scatter graphs as an instrument to present our data is the uncertainty that comes with the usage of best fit lines. The line of best fit can either be linear or a curve, it is important that the correct line is used in order to portray the correct image, as if the wrong line were to be used then a false conclusion could be created. On an even more basic level, whether it is possible to create a best fit line at all is debatable, often data has a vague trend spoilt by outliers and anomalies, therefore it is uncertain whether the trend is significant enough to have a best fit line, it was tempting to create one that would agree with Bradshaw’s model, however, this might invalidate our results and lead us to the wrong conclusions. Our solution to this problem was to test each scatter graph according to spearman’s rank theory, we pre-decided a significance level that would be necessary in order to create a best fit line, a significance of 85%, this then gave us a critical value and if passed we created a best fit line .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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Describe one application of ICT skills in carrying out your fieldwork and comment on its usefulness

ICT skills were used in the overlaying of data upon GoogleEearth. Scatter graphs and data were overlaid on Google Earth to create a layer upon the satellite image of the river Tillingbourne. Each result set was linked to the exact location where it was gathered. This allowed the trends to be shown even more substantially as the locational context could be viewed easily and any anomalies could be examined and it was possible to search for factors which could have contributed to their anomalous nature. However, there were some problems associated with this application; often the images were out of date as the satellite producing the images had not passed over the particular location in the recent update. This could lead to false conclusion stemming from mis-information. An example of this would be where the river was recently straightened by the local council and therefore the river had a higher discharge than would have been expected from the satellite image. Also whose land was not shown; this could lead to problems associated with sampling as it could not be taken into consideration, this could lead to false sampling methods .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of the analysis technique used?

The analysis technique used in this context was the Spearmen’s rank technique coupled with significance testing. The advantages of this analysis technique were that it was possible to negate chance as a factor for the trends seen, it allows a comparison between data sets (eg velocity and gradient) as to their degree of certainty and it also is easy and quick to perform as a statistical test.

The disadvantages of the technique are the need for a large sample size in order to gain an accurate result, it offers no explanation for the pattern shown and it pays no regard to the magnitude of the values used .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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Outline and justify the use of one or more technique used to statistically analyse your results

The statistical analysis technique used was the Spearman’s rank analysis coupled with significance testing. The scatter graph is first needed and a line of best fit created. The values are then ranked according to the two variables, both the distance from the source (1 to 10) and the velocity, gradient or hydraulic radius ranked also (from 1 to 10). The ranks not the variables are then used in the equation 1-(6(SUM)d^2)/n(n^2 – n) this generates a number which when compared against the sample size of the assessment forms a significance rating which if over 90% (the decided level) can eliminate the effects of chance from the trend seen .

This method can be justified as it is accurate, as it is a statistical method and can be as precise as needed as the critical significance rating can be chosen according to the context. Also the rating is very useful as it can be remove chance in the assessment of the relationship between the two variables. One of the most significant advantages of this technique is its ease to use; this allowed the analysis to be quicker and easier .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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How far did your fieldwork conclusions match the geographical theory concept or idea on which your study was based?

The geographical theory being tested in this assessment is Bradshaw’s model, that the characteristics of the river change as the river progresses downstream. After presenting and analysing the data it has been concluded that the data does match the Bradshaw model and that the data sets are linked. As the distance from the source increases, so does the velocity as well as the hydraulic radius although this is expected as they are linked, as velocity increases so do erosion rates, therefore larger channel areas.

However, the data does not completely agree with the Bradshaw model, both the velocity (only 85% significant) and gradient (only 70%) do not fully agree with the model. This could be due to the poor and unreliable technique of the cork method and the land use in the locational context. This has meant they do not agree with the theoretical context.

However, the aim has been fulfilled, to investigate whether the data agrees with the Bradshaw model .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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Summarise your findings and suggest how this enquiry could be improved

The aim of the enquiry was to ‘investigate the changes in the river Tillingbourne as it progressed downstream’. Our enquiry measured the following values as the river progressed downstream: velocity, gradient and hydraulic radius. The summary of these findings were that they all behaved exactly as the theoretical context, Bradshaw’s model, predicted, velocity increased from 1m/s to 20m/s , the gradient decreased from 3 degrees to 0.4 degrees and the hydraulic radius increased from 0.2 to 0.8. However, the trends were not all without chance, as the gradient change trend was only 80% certain and the velocity was 83%, so not past our decided critical significance percentage, 85%.

The enquiry could have been improved, in terms of primary data, if there had been a less limited time context then more repeats could have taken place, this would have increased the sample size in spearman’s rank therefore decreasing the impact of outliers, such as velocity of 0.1m/s in site 4. Another improvement would have been availability of more sites, as locational context of private land and therefore legislation hindered our sampling method and prevented a periodic method, if we had a better access to land results would have been les clustered.

In terms of secondary data, it would have been useful if access to the dates and context of the secondary data had been available, so that the results were not influenced by the time context at which the secondary data was taken. It would also have been useful if more secondary data had been available which would have increased the sample size of our spearman’s rank .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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How far did your fieldwork conclusions match the geographical theory concept or idea on which your study was based?

The geographical theory being tested in this assessment is Bradshaw’s model, that the characteristics of the river change as the river progresses downstream. After presenting and analysing the data it has been concluded that the data does match the Bradshaw model and that the data sets are linked. As the distance from the source increases, so does the velocity as well as the hydraulic radius although this is expected as they are linked, as velocity increases so do erosion rates, therefore larger channel areas.

However, the data does not completely agree with the Bradshaw model, both the velocity (only 85% significant) and gradient (only 70%) do not fully agree with the model. This could be due to the poor and unreliable technique of the cork method and the land use in the locational context. This has meant they do not agree with the theoretical context.

However, the aim has been fulfilled, to investigate whether the data agrees with the Bradshaw model .

SOME ANSWERS TO SHOW YOU HOW IT MIGHT BE DONE?

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A SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES

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A SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES

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A SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES