Fieldwork Questions (AQA GCSE Geography)

Aims and Hypothesis

• Fieldwork is based around an enquiry into a 'real life' issue

  • This is linked to the content in the specification and then related to a place: specific context

• All fieldwork begins with the aims and hypothesis

• The aim explains what the enquiry is attempting to achieve 

  • An investigation into changes in beach profiles along Mappleton Beach

  • An investigation into the impact of building a wind farm in rural Lincolnshire

• The hypothesis needs to be clear, directional and measurable, it is a statement which can be tested

  • River discharge increases with distance from the source of the River Dove

  • Environmental quality increases with distance from the new road in Swanland, East Yorkshire

• Aims and hypothesis may be based on what is already known about the topic. For example, Bradshaw's model of rivers

Underpining Geographical Theory

• When completing fieldwork there should be a clear link between the investigation and established theories, models or concepts

• The fieldwork does not have to be based on the theory or model but the theories and concepts must be identifiable 

• This should be something that you have already studied

  • A concept such as sustainability for example the sustainability of a transport strategy in an urban area

  • A theory or model see Bradshaw's model below

• In a river investigation it would be appropriate to use Bradshaw's model

  • The model identifies the changes in a river from upstream to downstream

  • It can be used to formulate hypothesis which is then tested by the fieldwork investigation

Bradshaw's Model

Primary and Secondary Data

• Data collected by the student within their fieldwork is primary data. 

• Examples of primary data can include:

  • Questionnaire data

  • River data: width, depth etc...

  • Video/audio recordings

  • Photographs

  • Interview information 

• Data collected by someone else but used by the student in their enquiry is secondary data

• Examples of secondary data can include:

  • Census results

  • Weather data 

  • Old photographs

  • Maps

  • Newspaper articles

  • Websites

Health & Safety

• Any fieldwork will involve consideration of health and safety using a risk assessment

• Hazards should be identified 

  • Who is at risk and why?

  • What precautions can be taken to reduce the risk?