Hazardous Practical Skills (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Bridgette Barrett
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
Hazardous Environment Fieldwork
Fieldwork in a hazardous environment is based on the physical processes involved in an extreme weather event
To undertake a weather fieldwork enquiry there are a range of practical skills and methods that will be used
These can be applied to any weather fieldwork
The fieldwork enquiry should be linked to geographical theory
In a weather fieldwork enquiry, the theories of microclimate and the passage of a depression or tropical storm can be used
Aims and Hypothesis
The aims and hypothesis come from questions asked about the weather such as:
How does the weather change as a depression passes over an area?
How does the microclimate of an area vary?
What are the impacts of the built environment on microclimate?
Examples of an aim would be:
An investigation into the effect of school buildings on the microclimate
An investigation into the changing weather patterns during the passage of a depression
Examples of a hypothesis would be:
Temperatures decrease with distance from buildings
Precipitation is greatest when air pressure is lowest during the passage of a depression
After the aims and hypothesis of the fieldwork have been established the next steps include:
Selecting the sites - this will involve sampling
Deciding on the equipment to be used
Considering any health and safety issues - completing a risk assessment
Data collection method
Worked Example
(i) Suggest one aim of a microclimate investigation
Answer:
Any valid aim acceptable for 1 mark
The 2nd mark requires the development of the aim e.g. measure weather conditions (1) compare with another local site (1) measure temperature … (1) compare with Met Office station recordings for that area (1)
(ii) Identify three reasons why a microclimate investigation might not achieve the aim given in (i)
Answer:
accuracy of data collected (1)
sufficient data collected (1)
careful data recording (1)
accuracy of data collation (1) and data presentation (1)
reliable analysis and interpretation of findings (1)
validity of conclusions reached (1)
realism and practicality of aim (1)
suitability of sites chosen (1)
Site Selection and Sampling
It is not practical to include all weather measurements throughout the day or to take measurements at all sites
To select sites sampling should be used
Sampling will reduce bias
It will provide an overview of the whole
There may be situations where access to the sample site may be limited meaning an opportunistic approach may need to be taken. However, this should be as close as possible to the site selected using sampling
The most commonly used sampling strategies for a weather enquiry are:
Systematic - sampling of sites at regular intervals along a transect line
Random - this means that all sites have an equal chance of being selected. A grid placed across a map of the school site would enable random sampling
Stratified - sampling sites which represent the whole
Worked Example
A group of students have investigated the physical processes involved in an extreme weather event by recording a weather diary. The students use an anemometer to record wind speed every hour.
Identify the sampling method used (1)
| A. Systematic |
| B. Random |
| C. Stratified |
| D. Opportunistic |
Answer:
A (1) - Systematic (the measurements are taken at regular intervals)
Worked Example
Outline three factors which should be considered when choosing a suitable sampling site for a microclimate enquiry (6)
Answer:
Different surroundings (1) 2nd mark for this to be exemplified twice e.g. south-facing aspect (1); sheltered spot (1); open space (1)
1 Mark allowed for valid health & safety consideration e.g. trespass (1); traffic (1)
open space (1) gives more “natural” reading for the area (1)
trespass (1) ensure permission acquired (1)
Equipment
To complete weather measurements a range of equipment is needed
The equipment includes the following:
Equipment may be in a Stevenson Screen
Thermometer - temperature
Hygrometer - humidity
Anemometer - wind speed
Barometer - air pressure
Wind vane - wind direction
Rain gauge - precipitation amount
Pencil for writing data
Camera to take photographs of equipment/measurements
Risk Assessment
Any fieldwork will involve consideration of health and safety using a risk assessment
Risks specifically associated with weather fieldwork may include:
Weather conditions
Slipping on uneven ground
Working in an unfamiliar place
Misuse of equipment - mercury thermometers
Traffic
Worked Example
A group of students investigated the physical processes involved in an extreme weather event by recording a weather diary.
(i) Identify one risk that the students may identify when undertaking a risk assessment for the investigation
(1 Mark)
Answer:
( Fallingover in ) strong winds (1).
Exposure sunburn (1)
Slips / trips/ bumps (1)
An extreme weather event (1)
Heavy rain/flooding (1)
(ii) State one way this risk could be managed
(1 Mark)
Answer: (Staying indoors is not accepted and the answer must be specific to the answer given to (i)
Avoid exposed locations / out in the open (1)
Collecting data once the storm has died down (1)
Use secondary data (1)
Walking with care (1)
Working in groups (1)
Wearing sunscreen suntan lotion (1)
Staying away from a storm (1)
Using a weather forecast (1)
Remote collection of weather data (1)
Using Equipment in the Field
Data Collection Methods
The data collection methods depend on the aims/hypothesis of the fieldwork
A weather diary and a microclimate study will both require the use of meteorological (weather) instruments to take measurements
Data collection should include both quantitative and qualitative methods
Weather Diary
A weather diary is a record of weather conditions over a set period
Measuring the weather
A digital weather station can be used to record the weather
Alternatively individual instruments can be used
To ensure accuracy of data some of the instruments - thermometer, hygrometer and barometer - should be placed on a Stevenson screen
Temperature
Measured using a maximum and minimum thermometer
These give the maximum and minimum readings over 24 hours
Air pressure
Measured using a barometer in millibars
Humidity
Measured using a hygrometer as a percentage
Wind speed
Measured using anemometer in km/h
Wind direction
A wind vane is used to give the direction the wind is coming from
Rainfall
A rain gauge measures the amount of rainfall in mm
Worked Example
Study Figure 1 shows a geographer collecting weather data
Name piece of equipment X
(1 Mark)
Answer:
Stevenson Screen (1)
Describe how a piece of equipment X is used in collecting weather data
(3 Marks)
Answer: This should outline how the equipment is used:
Regular visits with log (1) Open front panel and record data (1) Log current instrument readings (1)
Housing for a variety of instruments (1) Allows air temperature in shade, not sun-exposed temperature to be recorded (1) Safety and instrument protection (1)
Photographs and Field Sketches
Photographs and field sketches are qualitative data
Just as with any data collection and presentation they have strengths and weaknesses
In a weather enquiry photographs and field sketches can be used to show weather conditions and sample site locations
Photographs are also useful for illustrating the data collection methods used
Worked Example
To extend a weather study students recorded wind speeds every hour using an anemometer. Students were asked to use one other primary data method.
Explain one other primary data method
(3 Marks)
Answer: You will gain 1 mark for the identification of a primary data method and 2 further marks for explaining how this can be used.
Rain – the use of a rain gauge (1) to collect data on mm of rainfall over some time (1) data can be plotted to explore patterns (1)
Temperature – the use of a thermometer (1) to measure temperature (1) plotted data against wind speed to explore patterns over some time (1)
Air pressure – the use of a barometer (1) to measure air pressure (1) plotted against wind speed to explore patterns over some time (1)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Annotations and labels are not the same. A label is a simple descriptive point. For example, 'shaded area'. Whereas annotation is a label with a more detailed description or an explanatory point. For example, a south facing classroom which receives more sun through the day will be warmer than a north facing classroom'.
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