Geography revision week 3

1. Write a definition the following terms

Primary data
Primary data is data that is collected first hand, that is to say, data that is collected by some
sort of fieldwork in order to investigate a hypothesis or to answer a specific geographical
question. An example of this could be to interview people to find out how they feel about a
greenfield development
Secondary data
Secondary data are basically second-hand pieces of information. These are not gathered
from the source as the primary data. To put it in other words, the secondary data are those
that are already collected.
Sample
When working in the field to collect samples, there are different ways to make sure the data
is as unbiased and representative of an area as possible. Sampling techniques in geography
are important because they provide the most accurate data without having to spend an
excess of time and resources on a project.
Pilot study
A pilot study, also called a 'feasibility' study, is a small-scale preliminary study conducted
before any large-scale quantitative research in order to evaluate the potential for a future,
full-scale project. Pilot studies are a fundamental stage of the research process.
Random sampling
Random sampling - selecting a person to interview or site to measure, at random. Random
sampling is unbiased as particular people or places are not specifically selected. Systematic
sampling - collecting data in an ordered or regular way, e.g., every 5 metres or every fifth
person.
Systematic sampling
Systematic sampling Samples are chosen in a systematic, or regular way. They are
evenly/regularly distributed in a spatial context, for example every two metres along a
transect line They can be at equal/regular intervals in a temporal context, for example every
half hour or at set times of the day
Stratified sampling
Stratified sampling - dividing sampling into groups, e.g., three sites from each section of
coastline, or five people from each age range. It is possible to combine stratified sampling
with random and systematic sampling.
Risk assessment
This form addresses the hazards, risks and control measures associated with most human
geography research, and can be used in place of project specific risk assessments, subject to
some exclusions.
Data presentation
Once the researcher returns from their data collection in the field, they are ready to address
their research questions and hypotheses through a presentation of relevant data.
Presenting data involves the use of a variety of different graphical techniques to visually
show the reader the relationship between different data sets, to emphasise the nature of a
particular aspect of the data or to geographically ‘place’ data appropriately on a map.
Data analysis
Analyses simple graphs, tables, and maps using geographic data to identify relationships,
patterns, and trends, as exemplified by Constructing a graph representing geographic
information from a data table to identify trends
Evaluation
Evaluation Within the final stage of a fieldwork report, you should be able to identify the
limitations of geographical evidence - accuracy, reliability and bias. You should reflect
critically on the strengths and limitations of both primary and secondary data, methods
used, conclusions drawn and knowledge gained.
Quantitative data
Quantitative data usually consists of factual information that can be counted and used in
fieldwork. Qualitative data is more opinion-based, but is still useful for geographical
investigations.
Qualitative date
This is a common question at A-Level, especially in a Geographical Skills paper. You may be
required to give examples of each type of data. Qualitative data is usually descriptive data
such as the collection of people’s opinions or perspectives on an issue, and is therefore
generally more subjective.
Conclusion
The conclusion in geography coursework is the perfect way to depict that the goals that you
had established in the beginning have been fulfilled. It must comprise of the
recommendations and solutions that can be implemented in the real-life problems for
solving the problem.
Hypothesis
Meaning of hypothesis is an idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts
but has not yet been proved: Several hypotheses for global warming have been suggested.
hypothesis | American Dictionary. an idea or explanation for something that is based on
known facts but has not yet been proven
Environmental Quality survey
An environmental quality survey is a method of measuring environmental quality. Typically,
a survey will be circulated among the residents of an area to obtain data on how they
perceive the area in question. This will involve rating various parameters from poor to
excellent on a pre-determined scale.
Method/Methodology
Methods of geography Changes in what a discipline studies are closely interwoven with
changes in how its research is undertaken. Some substantive changes have been
technologically driven: without new facilities, advances would not have been possible,
perhaps not conceivable.
Variable
A variable is any factor that can be controlled, changed, or measured in an experiment.

2. There are 6 stages of Geographical enquiry. You are expected to know and be
familiar with them. Use your revision guide or BBC bitesize to write a breakdown of what
will be required of you for each stage.
1) Why you chose your question
 Aims stated
 Hypothesis devised
  Selection of suitable location
 Risk Assessment
2) How and why, you collected data
 Primary data collection
 Secondary research
 Risk management
3) How you processed and presented your data
 Data Presentation
4) What your data showed
 Data Analysis
 Data Interpretation

5) The conclusions you reached

 Hypothesis (accepted or rejected)

 Geographical conclusion
 Evaluation
6) What went well and what could have gone better.
WWW: Clearly shown
EBI: More accurate readings

Developing tasks – To show depth of understanding

Copy and complete this table about different data presentation methods:
Name of method How it works/what Positives of this Negatives of this
it shows method method
Bar chart Bars which vary in Visually easy to Can only measure
height to show make comparisons one thing per chart.
different between variables Needs a neat grid.
measurements.
Histogram Histograms are good In Histogram, we A histogram can
for showing general cannot rearrange present data that is
distributional the blocks while in misleading.
features of dataset Bar Charts, it is
variables. common to
rearrange the
blocks, from highest
to lowest.
Line graphs A line graph is a type Easy to read and Line graphs only
of chart or graph understand make sense when
that is used to show there is a
information that meaningful
changes over time. relationship
A line graph can be between successive
plotted using several points on the line.
points connected by
straight lines.
 Scatter graphs Scatter graphs are a
good way of
displaying two sets
of data to see if
there is a
correlation, or
connection.
Pie charts A pie chart is a chart Pie charts are a If too many pieces
represented by a good way to of data are used, pie
circle. It shows the represent large data chart becomes less
proportion of each in a simple graphical effective.
group at a glance. manner.
Dispersion Diagrams A Dispersion
Diagram shows the
range of a set of
data and illustrates
whether data
groups or is
dispersed
Population pyramids Population pyramids Show how Only used to show
show the structure population is population structure
of a population by composed divided
comparing relative by age and gender
numbers of people
in different age
groups.

By Jenny Chalmers
P.S blank square mean that I can’t find the answer