Task 2023

G12 ~ Geography

TASK 2: Research task

GEOGRAPHY
GRADE 12
TASK 2: RESEARCH TASK

EXAMINER: C. Matebesi TIME: 6 weeks

MODERATOR: I. Turpin TOTAL: 100

READ ALL the information provided below carefully BEFORE YOU START.

INSTRUCTIONS

Investigate an environmental, social and/or economic problem in your local community which links
directly to the Grade 12 Geography curriculum. You will be required to draft a hypothesis that
you will either prove right OR wrong by doing research using both primary AND secondary data.

REQUIREMENTS

1. This task MUST be completed individually (no group work will be accepted).

2. You may write OR type this task.

a. Handwritten tasks must be written neatly and legibly and only in blue ballpoint pen.
b. Maximum length 12 pages excluding your addendum of evidence.
c. Adhere to the following format settings if you are typing your task:
o Font: Arial
o Font size: 12
o Spacing: 1.15

3. Collection of different types of data

a. Secondary data
Secondary data can be defined as data that you collect from other sources (meaning it
is not our own work). These sources include, but are not limited to:
o Newspaper articles from your local newspapers
o Magazine/journal articles
o Case study materials of similar issues at other locations
o Internet investigations on the theory behind these types of issues
o Your textbook

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b. Primary data
Primary data can be defined as fieldwork during which you go out into the community
and talk to people, or do your own experiments to collect data. The methods of collecting
this data include, but are not limited to:
o Interviews
o Questionnaires
o Emails to informed persons (e.g. the ward councillor, government officials,
company owners, affected residents)
o Site visit with photos
o Scientific experiments

4. Include evidence of primary data collected when submitting your assignment.

5. Plagiarism: Where you used information from a secondary source (meaning it is not your own
idea/discovery), you must use the Harvard method of referencing. This includes all maps,
pictures and photos that need to be labelled and referenced. Refer to the steps below for more
information.

6. Submission:
a. When uploading and submitting your task for online marking, the file size may not exceed
10 MB. (Use the compress function in Microsoft Word to reduce the size of pictures and
maps to make sure that the entire file is less than 10 MB).
b. No information may be uploaded in landscape format, only portrait.

7. Marking: Marks will be allocated according to the rubric. Study it carefully to ensure that your
task adheres to all the requirements. Each step has been included in the rubric – skipping a
step WILL cost you marks.

GETTING STARTED

1. Suggested topics have been included. You may use one of these or use your own as long as
the topic is directly related to the Grade 12 Geography curriculum.
2. The task has been divided into steps with associated timeframes which should be followed
chronologically.
3. A pace setter have been included to help you pace yourself, as there is a lot to be done.
4. Main headings have been included to assist you with the structure of your report.
5. The steps set out below have been included in the RUBRIC – skipping a step WILL cost you
marks.
6. Look out for the following icons under each step. These will guide you through the process.

Instructions Requirements

Tips Extract from the rubric

(Source: bit.ly/3GlNzqX)

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SUGGESTED TOPICS

Please note:

• These are just suggested topics.

• You may use any topic within the Grade 12 Geography curriculum.
• These are just topics; NOT YET A HYPOTHESIS – you must draft your own. Please
refer to Step 1 and 3 of the research process on how to change a topic into a research
question and then into a hypothesis.

PROBLEM/ISSUE
Unit 1: Climatology
Urban heat island
• Testing the theory of temperature being warmer in the CBD and surrounding
areas
• Testing the theory that artificial surface are warmer than natural surfaces
Unit 2: Geomorphology (rivers)
• Investigating flooding in an area
• Water pollution
• Catchment management issues (water quality / water quantity)
Unit 3: Settlements
• Service delivery issues
• Establishment of OBDs and their benefit to the community
• Investigating issues within informal settlements
• Impact of industrial areas (positive and negative)
• Decentralisation (industrial estates, development in the rural urban fringe,
establishment of housing estates)
Unit 4: Economic geography (RSA)
• Farming (e.g. its role in food security, impact of rivers on farming, etc.)
• Urban farming and food security in urban areas
• Transport issues
• Mining issues – e.g. pollution/environmental damage
• Role of mining in job creation/social wellbeing
• Damage due to old and outdated infrastructure
• Informal trade

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PACE SETTER

Use the pace setter below to make sure that you are on track, as there is a lot to be done
that will take you some time.

ACTIVITY STEP TIME FRAME  TO DO

Topic, background
1
reading & research
Article 2 Week 1

Draft hypothesis 3
Background Information 4
Week 2
Maps 5
Research methodology 6 Week 3
Primary data collection &
7
site visit Week 4
Graphs & data analysis 8
Recommendations &
9
solutions
Conclusion 10 Week 5
Referencing &
11
bibliography
Cover page 12
Week 6
Editing 13

MAIN HEADINGS

The following main headings must be in your report – add subheadings as needed.

1. Hypothesis
2. Background Information
3. Maps
4. Research methodology
5. Data analysis (graphs and analysis) and site photographs
6. Recommendations/Solutions
7. Conclusion
8. Bibliography

Addendum
Article
Evidence of primary data collection (raw data)

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STEPS

The flow diagram below is a simplified illustration of the steps in the research process.

The following website may also be helpful: bit.ly/2Z8yh8q

The research process

at a glance

Analyse results Solutions &

Select a topic Formulate a Test/collect from your data
and ask a hypothesis & give data conclusion
using graphs
question background &elaborate on
information findings

(Source: bit.ly/3aZiqfi)

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STEP 1 – TOPIC, BACKGROUND READING & RESEARCH QUESTION

Week 1

i. Choose one of the pre-defined topics on page 3, OR identify and research

your own geographical problem relevant to the Grade 12 Geography
curriculum.
ii. Do background reading on the topic to gain a deeper understanding
(secondary data).
iii. Change the topic into a research question.

i. You have to apply the topic and research question to your local area/
community.
ii. Fieldwork and a site visit are required for this task (collecting primary data,
see Step 7).

Below are two useful links that could assist you in changing your topic into a
research question.

• bit.ly/3plvKmq
• bit.ly/3b21wMQ

Choose a study area that will be easily accessible and safe for you to collect
data and take site photos.

STEP 2 – ARTICLE Week 1

Find a recent article (not older than 2 years) about the topic you selected in
Step 1.

i. Scan and put a copy of the article in the Addendum of your report.
ii. Use the information in the article as ONE of your secondary data sources.

Mark 0 1–2 3 4–5

Recent article
Article relevant to Information from
relevant to the
Article No article included the chosen local the article used in
geographical
area. the assignment.
problem.

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STEP 3 – DRAFT A HYPOTHESIS Week 1

Change your research question (done in Step 1) into a hypothesis.

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation that can be tested through study and

experimentation.

A well-written hypothesis is clear, specific and measurable and in geography,

applied to a very specific area. (See the example below).

Your hypothesis should have the following components:

• A cause
• An effect
• A location

Example: Poor delivery of sanitation services (cause) in the Hennops River

catchment (location) is the cause of the stench (1st effect) around the Centurion Lake
(location), Pretoria, and the main reason why businesses around the lake are losing
their customers (2nd effect).

Use the same website as in Step 1 to draft your hypothesis.

Mark 0–1 2 3–4 5

Hypothesis is:
- clear
General - specific and
Hypothesis
Geographical - measurable
Only a topic was drafted and
problem chosen
Hypothesis chosen, no adapted to the
but no research Components are
hypothesis learner’s local
questions applied present:
environment.
to a specific area. - cause
- effect
- local area

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STEP 4 – BACKGROUND INFORMATION Week 2

Write a background information paragraph on each of the components of your

hypothesis (see the example below).

The purpose of background information is to sketch the backdrop of your

research task and to help the reader gain a deeper understanding of the
significance of the problems/issues/impacts you identified, as well as the results
from your fieldwork (Step 7).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION is very specific to your hypothesis. There should

be a paragraph on each of the components of your hypothesis.

i. Identify the different components in your hypothesis (see the example in

Step 3).

ii. Do research from secondary sources on each of the components you

identified. Refer to Step 11 on how to reference your sources.

Example. Poor delivery of sanitation services in the Hennops River catchment

is the cause of the stench around the Centurion Lake, Pretoria and the main
reason why businesses around the lake are losing their customers.

i. Area:
• Description of the locality (where is Centurion in relation to its
surroundings)
• Brief history of Centurion
• Description of the town, e.g. rural or urban.
• How many people (demographics)
• Main economic activities
ii. Hennops River – where does it get its water from and where does its water
go? (Hydrology)
iii. Where is the Centurion Lake; what businesses are around it? What is the
issue at the lake?
iv. Discuss the importance of proper sanitation in general (issues in South
Africa in this regard), then apply to the specific area (e.g. which areas within
the catchment of the river do not have proper sanitation and what are the
impacts thereof on the water quality in the river?).

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Mark 0–1 2–4 5–10 11–13 14–15

Detailed
Some background
information Appropriate information of
regarding the geographical the study area. Relevant
No or limited
area is elements of The learner background
Background background
provided with the study area shows the information
information information
limited and problems necessary about each
provided.
relevant have been knowledge to component.
background identified. address
information. certain key
questions.

STEP 5 – MAPS Week 2

The purpose of a map is to see where your study area is in relation to its
surroundings AS WELL AS to help you structure the rest of your task, because
from the map you will see what is important and what might have caused the
problem you have identified. You may use a variety of maps (e.g. topographic
maps, street maps, Google Earth images, etc.), and maps of different scales.

i. North arrow must be provided.

ii. Provide a title for each map.
iii. Provide an accurate scale for the map.
iv. Indicate the study area (boundary) where your research is done.
v. Label any elements that are discussed in your report on the map if
applicable (e.g. a specific neighbourhood causing pollution in a river, a
specific intersection causing traffic congestion, rivers, etc.).
vi. Provide the map with a key.
vii. All maps must be portrait orientation and NOT landscape orientation.
viii. No hand drawn maps will be accepted unless it is the large scale map on
which the location of site photos and site visits are indicated.

If the map you found on the internet does not have ALL the information that you
need, use it as a base map and add the needed information by hand, or digitally
using MS Word or any other software/programme.

Mark 0–3 4–5 6–8 9–10

Appropriate map A variety of maps
of research area is on different scales
Appropriate maps.
included. are included.
No maps/very Requirements are
Maps Requirements are Requirements are
poor map. considered and
not considered considered and
are depicted.
and are not are well
properly depicted. represented.

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STEP 6 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Week 3

Research methodology: Write a paragraph in which you explain how you plan
to collect your primary data.

Research methodology must include the following information:

• Details of the method (e.g. interviews, questionnaires, etc.)
• How many interviews did you conduct or questionnaires did you hand out?
A minimum of 10 is required.
• When did you collect your primary data? (Dates)
• Example interview/questionnaire if applicable
• Who did you interview (name; age; position in the company; how are they
affected by the geographical problem)?

You may use technology and different social media platforms to collect data.
WARNING: When using social media, make sure that you know who is
completing your questionnaires/interviews, as you are required to give these
details in your research methodology (refer to the requirements above).
• Google Forms/Survey
• Survey Monkey
• WhatsApp
• Facebook, etc.

Mark 0–2 3–4 5

No or limited Some information Detailed description of
Research
description of research included of how primary how primary data was
methodology
methodology included. data was collected. collected.

STEP 7 – PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION & SITE VISIT Week 3–4

Primary data collection: Collect all primary data as described in the research
methodology.
Site visit: Conduct a site visit.

Data collection:
• Use two (2) or more primary data collection methods
• A minimum of ten (10) samples, interviews, and/or questionnaires.
• Evidence of primary data collection must be submitted with your report.
Site visit: Labelled site photos must be included as evidence of a site
visit.

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STEP 8 – GRAPHS & DATA ANALYSIS Week 4

i. Present the findings from your primary data collection in graphs.

ii. Each graph must be accompanied by a paragraph explaining the findings
that you visually showed on the graph.
iii. Backup your findings from your primary data collection with the secondary
data you collected.

Analyse the raw primary data you collected in the following manner:
• Tally all the questionnaires, interviews, experiments, etc.
• Illustrate the findings from YOUR data collection in a graph. When doing
this by hand, use the skills learnt in other subjects of how to draw a graph.
• You can also do this on the computer using MS Word (use the ‘Insert tab’
and select ‘Charts’) or Excel.
When using a questionnaire/interview as your primary data collection method,
you must draw a graph for each question asked. Take this into consideration
BEFORE you even start with drafting a questionnaire/interview.

Mark 0 1–5 6–8 9–10

Several methods
of collecting
primary data were
used (10 samples/
respondents).
Primary and Several sources
No external Only secondary secondary data of secondary data
Data collection sources use. data used. No were collected. No (7 sources).
(primary & Learner writes evidence of evidence of site Evidence of a site
secondary data) from his/her own primary data visits. Evidence of visit. The learner
experience. collected. primary data is not made an effort to
attached. communicate with
various people
and institutions
and consulted
various secondary
sources.

Mark 0 1–7 8–12 13–15

Data has been
processed to
graphs. The
learner’s
interpretations
Unprocessed data Data has been
indicate a clear
No primary data is included in the processed to
Data analysis understanding of
was collected. report, but no data graphs with
the problem, with
analysis. limited interpreted.
integration
between their own
findings and
secondary
sources.

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STEP 9 – RECOMMENDATION & SOLUTIONS Week 5

Write a paragraph in which you make recommendations/provide solutions to

the problems/issues/impacts you have identified and investigated. You may use
secondary data sources for this.

The recommendations and solutions should be:

• geographical in nature
• practical
• detailed
• appropriate to your research
• appropriate to the local area in which you conducted your research

Mark 0 1–5 6–8 9–10

The learner
Limited
demonstrates a
recommendations Practical solutions
clear
and solutions are and
No understanding of
provided. recommendations
Recommendations recommendations the problem in the
Solutions are are provided from
and solutions or solutions were specific area and
general and not the specific
provided. provides practical
aimed at the problem and local
and geographical
specific problem area.
recommendations
and area.
and solutions.

STEP 10 – CONCLUSION Week 5

Write a conclusion in which you summarise your findings regarding your

investigation of the problem you identified through your secondary data and your
fieldwork (primary data).

Based on your findings you must either accept or reject your hypothesis.

Mark 0 1–5 6–8 9–10

Conclusion is a
Conclusion is Conclusion is
summary of
provided. Learner provided. Learner
findings and links
Conclusion No conclusion did not accept OR accepted OR
the entire
reject the reject the
research report
hypothesis hypothesis
together.

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STEP 11 – REFERENCING & BIBLIOGRAPHY Week 5

You may not copy directly from any source. Mention where you got the
information from in the text (referencing) AND add the source in the bibliography.
This includes all maps, pictures and photos that need to be labelled and
referenced.

Use the Harvard method of referencing. Plagiarism will be penalised heavily.

Use a minimum of seven (7) sources (excluding your textbook).

bit.ly/3lY6osT

Mark 0 1–3 4–5 6

Bibliography is
Bibliography is
Bibliography is provided
provided using
provided, but the according to
Referencing & Harvard method,
No bibliography learner did not Harvard method,
bibliography but no source
use the Harvard good source
references in the
method. references in the
text.
text.

STEP 12 – COVER PAGE Week 6

Design a neat and creative cover page which is relevant to the topic of your
assignment.

The following information should be included on your cover page:

• Your name and surname
• Student number
• Task number
• Title
• Date

Mark 0 1–2 3 4
Cover page Learner designed
Cover page
included, all a creative cover
included, some
Cover page No cover page information is page with all the
information is
included, no needed
missing
creativity shown information on

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STEP 13 – EDITING Week 6

Edit the final version of your report BEFORE submission. Be proud of the report
you submit for marking. Make sure of the following:

• All steps have been included

• Spelling/typing errors have been corrected.
• All sources have been referenced.
• All references have been included in the bibliography.
• Evidence of primary data collection has been included.
• Go through each step and each item on the rubric and make sure all the
requirements have been met.

Mark 0–2 3–4 5

Very limited editing
Exceptional final
done.
product submitted
Editing final version Language and Editing was done.
which adhere to all
formatting mistakes.
requirements.
Some steps left out.

TOTAL: 100

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