Page 99 - The World About Us

Fieldwork
1.1.1
1.1.1
2.2.3
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What is the purpose of geographical field work?

Fieldwork is an essen al element
of both physical and human geogra-
phy. Fieldwork allows geographers to
compare 'real world' situa ons with
geographical theories and models. It
allows those models to be tested, for
both their validity and usefulness. The
strengths and weaknesses of any
theory or model are best illuminated
by comparison to the actual world in
Fig.263 Fieldwork: measuring the width and depth of a river
which we live.
Geographical theory is always
evolving. New ideas need tes ng against enquiry, while the second is likely to be a discuss field work in 'unfamiliar context'.
older ones. Only then can a proper physical enquiry. This will most likely involve commen ng
comparison be made about which On Paper 3, which is one and a half on another student's fieldwork that will
theory best explains the world. Of hours long, some of the ques ons will be described in the exam resources
course, there will always be debate and be focused on your two episodes of booklet.
argument over theory. This is especially fieldwork. You will need to revise and If you are confident about the
true of human geography which, as a remember: the enquiry process the process followed with your own
social science, is much more closely loca on of the enquiry; your methodol- fieldwork, you should have no problem
contested than the more tradi onal ogy in collec ng the data; the way you applying the same evalua on criteria to
science of physical geography. presented the data; the results you another unfamiliar piece of fieldwork.
As part of GCSE Geography students obtained and your conclusions. You will The best way of ensuring success is to
need to take part in fieldwork on a also need to be able to evaluate the apply the geographical enquiry
minimum of two occasions. These two strengths and weaknesses of your sequence to any piece of fieldwork. This
occasions must be in 'contras ng' methods, results and conclusions. should ensure the best possible
environments, so piece of fieldwork is In addi on to answering ques ons outcomes and also flag up poten al
likely be a human geography centred on your own fieldwork, you will need to mistakes
What are the stages in the geographical enquiry process?

1. Identify a key question. Primary data is that collected by the no discharge result.
Asking ques ons about an issue researcher, in this case, yourself or as b) Where will data be collected?
(who? what? where? why? When? part of a group. Secondary data is that Selec ng sampling sites is also
collected by a third party, for example
how?) is always a good place to start an important. Inves ga ng how a river
the local council or Met Office.
enquiry. This process should be able to changes with distance from the source
narrow down one key ques on which Planning in advance is crucial. Again, will involve several sampling sites, each
will be the focus of the field study. asking ques ons before you start is the one further from the source than the
best way to avoid mistakes.
2. Choose a hypothesis. one before.
a) What data must be collected?
A hypothesis is a testable statement If asking about the reasons people
Asking exactly what data needs
which can be proved either true or false. visit a town centre, it is best if not all
collec ng ensures that at the end of the
Many pieces of fieldwork, especially in data collec on sites are directly outside
day there is enough informa on to
physical geography, lend themselves to actually test the hypothesis. either supermarkets or pet shops.
hypotheses which the field study can Having enough sampling sites is
seek to test. However, not all fieldwork To measure the discharge of a river a important if real, rather than coinciden-
requires a hypothesis. It can be suitable researcher would need to measure the tal, pa erns are to be iden fied.
width and depth and mul ply them
to start with a key ques on. c) When am I going to collect data?
together to produce the cross-sec onal
3. Plan your method. area. In addi on, the velocity of the Picking the correct me or date for
Before you can collect any data you river's flow would be needed. The data collec on is important. Measuring
must plan your method of data collec- velocity can then be mul plied by the a small river over several days could
on. What data will be necessary or cross-sec onal area to give discharge in create some problema c results if it
best suited to answering the key cumecs, cubic metres per second. rained heavily overnight between the
ques on or hypotheses? Without a velocity reading there can be first and second day.

99

Geography fieldwork.