Coastal Enquiry Skills (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)

Using the data in Figure 5a, complete Figure 5b below for measurements 1 and 4

(2 Marks)

• Answer:

  • Award 1 mark for each correct bar

  • To be awarded the mark for the first bar, the line must be drawn between 21-22

  • The second bar needs to be right on the line

  • Shading is not required

Mark an x in the box on Figure 5b which represents the site with the anomalous result

(1 Mark)

• One mark for an ‘x’ in box 5 (1)

Suggest one possible explanation for this anomaly

(2 Marks)

• Award 1 mark for an initial reason, and a further mark for extension of this point

  • E.g. Human error with the equipment used to measure sediment /calculation of the mean/selection of the sample to be measured (1) which meant that the sediment appeared bigger than it was (1)

  • The sample could have been taken from an area that is protected from the action of the waves / near groynes (1) which means that less would have taken place at this site (1)

  • Site 5 may have experienced a recent rockfall (1) which meant that the sample was larger / less eroded than the other sites (1)

  • Accept any other appropriate response

In the exam, you will not be asked to draw an entire graph. However, it is common to be asked to complete an unfinished graph using the data provided. You may also be asked to identify anomalous results or to draw the best fit line on a scatter graph.

• Take your time to ensure that you have marked the data on the graph accurately

• Use the same style as the data which has already been put on the graph

  • Bars on a bar graph should be the same width

  • If the dots on a graph are connected by a line you should do the same

Describe two sources of secondary data that might be useful when planning a coastal environment enquiry

(4 Marks)

• Answer:

  • Environment Agency or National Resources Wales provide flood maps (1) which give information about \

  • locations at risk from coastal flooding (1)

  • Met Office rainfall data (1) gives information regarding any weather events impacting on data collected (1)

  • Google Earth or Ordnance Survey (OS) map (1) enables the identification of sample site locations (1)

  • Geology map (1) rock type information for the coastal cliffs (1)

  • Aerial photographs (1) changes in the beach profile (1)

  • Shoreline Management Plans (SMP) from local authorities or Environment Agency or Government (1)

Study the figure below. It shows the beach data collected by the students at the five sites along the beach

• (a) Which of the following are the correct units used for the beach gradient in the figure? (1)

  • a) mm

  • b) °

  • c) cm²

  • d) m³

• Answer: b °

• (b) Calculate the mean and median gradient of the beach (2)

  • Mean gradient = ………………… ᵒ

  • Median gradient = ………………… ᵒ

• Answer: 

  • Mean = 10.2 (add all the values together, then divide by the total number of data sets) 6+8+10+12+15 = 51 divided by 5 

  • Median = 10 (the middle value in a set of data by organising date in order from smallest to largest)

    • 6 8 10 12 15

Calculation of the mean is a popular exam question. You must remember the following:

• Show your workings if it is asked for by writing out in full the calculation. This is usually worth 1 mark

• If asked to give your answer to one decimal place remember to round up or down

  • If the number after the first digit following the decimal point is 5 or higher you need to round up - 10.15 would become 10.2

  • If the number after the first digit following the decimal point is 4 or lower you need to round down - 10.13 would become 10.1

You have studied coastal environments as part of your geographical enquiry

Evaluate how successful your chosen data analysis methods were in answering your geographical enquiry question

(8 Marks)

• Answer:

• Your answer needs to make a judgement about how successful your data analysis was in enabling you to reach a conclusion

• You must include examples from your enquiry

• You need to demonstrate evidence of:

• Different skills and techniques being used for data collection

• Different skills and techniques being used for the analysis of the data

• Your own conclusions

• Issues with equipment

  • Were there any equipment errors?

  • This could be faulty equipment or issues with reading the measurements correctly

  • How did these errors affect your ability to answer the enquiry question?

• Issues with the enquiry design

  • Were the data collection/sampling methods appropriate?

  • Were more sample sites needed?

  • Would a different sampling technique has been more effective?

  • Should the data have been collected using a different method?

  • Was additional or different equipment needed?

  • How did these affect your ability to answer the enquiry question?

• Issues with analysis methods

  • Were the analysis methods you used - central tendency, best fit lines etc.. - appropriate?

  • Were there any alternative methods that could have been used?

  • How did your use of these affect your ability to answer the enquiry question?

• At the end of your answer you must make a judgement about the success of your data analysis techniques

• Your evaluation needs to be in-depth and directly linked to your enquiry

• There must be recognition of where data analysis was less successful due to the enquiry design or technique used

• Are the outcomes reliable - can the study be repeated and obtain the same results?

The 8 mark fieldwork question is often an evaluation of your enquiry or unfamiliar fieldwork. The evaluation could be regarding data collection, analysis or your conclusion. The key factors to remember to include in your answer are:

• What went well - how do you know that your results were accurate and therefore valid?

• Is the enquiry reliable - Could it be repeated and the same results achieved?

• What could have been improved?

• What would you do if you were to repeat the enquiry?