Urban Enquiry Skills (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Jacque Cartwright
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
The Fieldwork Report
Urban Environment Enquiry Data Presentation
Data presentation can take many forms
Primary Data
Much of the primary data collected in an urban environment enquiry will be presented in the form of graphs:
Each type of graph is suitable for particular data sets
The graphs may have strengths and limitations
Suitable graphs include:
Bar graphs to compare the environmental quality scores at different sample sites
Compound or divided bar graphs to show traffic counts
Scattergraphs to show the relationship between factors such as proximity to land use change and the environmental quality of a site
Rose diagrams to show noise levels
Data presentation may also include maps:
Sample site location
Proportional circle maps to show traffic counts at different sample sites
Worked Example
Study Figure 1a, which shows the results of an environmental quality survey around a new industrial development in an urban area
Complete Figure 1b for sites 4 and 5
(2 Marks)
Site | Environmental Quality Survey Score |
|---|---|
1 | 23 |
2 | 31 |
3 | 12 |
4 | 30 |
5 | 32 |
Figure 1a Environmental Quality Survey Score Data
Answer:
The first bar needs to be just above the 30 line and the second line needs to be on the 35 line. The bars do not need to be shaded but should be the same width as the other bars (2)
Identify the site which has the highest environmental quality score
(1 Mark)
Answer:
Site 5 with a score of 32 has the highest environmental quality score (1)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
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 be asked to identify the highest or lowest score or an anomalous result. When completing a graph:
Take your time to ensure that you have marked the data on to the graph accurately
Use the same style as the data which has already been put on the graph:
Bars on the graph should be the same width
If the dots on the graph are connected by a line then you should do the same
Secondary Data
Any fieldwork should include secondary data as well as primary data
In an urban environment enquiry, suitable data may include:
Historical traffic counts
Maps of the area where land use has changed
Newspaper articles/websites about land use change
Aerial photographs
Worked Example
You have studied the use of central/inner urban environments as part of your own geographical enquiry.
(a) (i) State one type of secondary data you used in your geographical enquiry
(1 Mark)
Answer: Award 1 mark for any of the following:
Newspapers (1)
GIS map/paper map (1)
Book/magazine (1)
Government report/policy document (1)
Blog/forum/social media (1)
Accept any other appropriate response
(ii) Explain one way this secondary data helped you when investigating the use of central/inner urban environments
(2 Marks)
Answer: Award 1 mark for a reason further mark for extension through explanation, up to a maximum of 2 marks:
It allowed find out about the spatial variation in the area of study (1) so that we knew that we would get good spatial coverage to minimise bias (1)
We used census data about the town's population (1) so we could design a fair sampling frame for the questionnaire about the energy that we were using (1)
The urban area has lots of people/activity (1) so that makes it idea/title measurable and achievable (1)
Accept any other reasonable idea
Note: no credit for just restating the secondary data type
Analysing & Interpreting Data
Once all the data has been collected and presented, it needs to be analysed
The data which is collected regarding rural environment change such as environmental quality surveys and traffic counts is quantitative data and will be analysed using statistical methods
One of the main statistical methods that may be used is the mean
Worked Example
Calculate the range in environmental quality survey scores
(2 Marks)
Site | Environmental Quality Survey Score |
|---|---|
1 | 23 |
2 | 31 |
3 | 12 |
4 | 30 |
5 | 32 |
Show your workings
Answer:
Award 1 mark for the calculation of the correct answer = 10 (1)
Award 1 mark for the correct method to calculate range = 32-12 (1) or working out with similar numbers, i.e. understanding the idea of difference/subtraction (highest and lowest values)
Analysing Photographs and Field Sketches
The use of photographs and field sketches is a qualitative analysis
Photographs and field sketches can be used in an urban environment enquiry to analyse a number of different features:
Features of different land use at the sample sites
Data collection techniques
Images of land use changes - new housing/road/industry
Worked Example
Explain why photographs are a useful source of primary data
(2 Marks)
Answer: Award 1 mark for the initial point and a further mark for explanation:
Can capture lots of detail (1) which means they can be examined properly after the field trip has ended(1)
Provides an accurate representation of the site (1) at that point in time (1)
Can be used to capture the state of the site at the present time (1) which can be used to compare to historical photographs(1)
Easy to annotate to show details (1) so can help with analysis (1)
Accept any other appropriate response
Do not accept easy to take
Worked Example
Explain two methods you used to analyse some of your fieldwork data
(4 Marks)
Answer:
Quantitative tools such as mean and median (1) so we could final measures of centrality in our data (1)
Annotated sketches based on photographs from the fieldwork were used (1) and the selected annotations were able to highlight characteristics and processes (1)
A computer spreadsheet was used to calculate the spread and range in our questionnaire data (1) so that we could compare the outcomes between different sample sites (1)
Conclusion
Once the data has been analysed, conclusions can be reached
The conclusion should state whether the hypothesis has been proven or disproved
Identify and explain any anomalies such as:
A sample site that has a low traffic count but high levels of noise pollution
Anomalies may occur due to a natural cause or maybe the result of incorrect recording or human error when using the equipment
Evaluation
The final stage of the rural environment enquiry is the evaluation which outlines how successful or not the rural environment enquiry was and what could be done differently were it to be repeated. For example:
Next time I would take measurements over a longer period of time to ensure the reliability of the data
I completed the environmental survey on my own which is subjective, next time I would complete it in groups and take the mode score
I think my investigation went well and I would like to repeat it at another time of year to see if this impacts the environmental quality
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The 8-mark fieldwork question is often an evaluation of your enquiry or of 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?
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