a level geography coursework: aqa independent investigation · a level geography aqa coursework:...

A Level GeographyAQA

Coursework: Independent Investigation

5 days

• CompletethefourdaysfieldworkrequiredforAlevelIndependentInvestigation.

• ThisisforstudentswhohavenotdonetheASfieldwork(andthereforewillneedtocompletefourdays)ORwhowouldliketimetobecomefamiliarwiththelocationandsurroundingareabeforeindependentlydecidingontheirindividualinvestigation.

• Thiscourseoffersinvestigationsonarangeofareaswithinthespecification,notjusttheASthemes.

• EnablesstudentstodevelopandundertaketheirIndependentInvestigationworth20%oftheAlevelmarks.

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysExample Course Timetable

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DAY MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING

1 ArriveMidday

Students will be greeted by FSC staff, with a welcome talk followed by a brief tour of the Centre and the local area.

OutlineoftheCourse

Allocation of wellies/waterproofs.

IntroductiontotheFieldworkNEA

Students will visit a local field site which will provide the backdrop to explore how to ask geographical questions, design sampling strategies and build research proposals. This session will also set the scene for the rest of the course, as students are introduced to an outline of the stages of an investigation and mark scheme, including the expectations relating to independence and teacher guidance.

ResearchWorkshop

During this workshop students will be introduced to a wide range of potential secondary data sources and information. They will explore how secondary research can be used to justify a research aim, question or hypothesis. In addition students will be given the opportunity to explore online and hard copy resources containing primary data collection and sampling techniques.

2 FieldworkEnvironment(1)

During this session students will visit a selection of local contrasting physical environments and explore the possible fieldwork locations and themes that could arise. Students will be introduced to a range of possible fieldwork methods and data collection techniques and will discuss possible ideas for geographical research questions. Students will also discuss what makes a ‘good’ or valuable primary data and develop their understanding of how to select a fieldwork technique.

DataPresentationWorkshop

Focusing on GIS as well as traditional presentation methods students will be introduced to a selection of possible methods that they may wish to incorporate within their research project.

StatisticsWorkshop

During this evening session, students will be introduced to a selection of possible statistical techniques and explore how these can be useful in a research project.

3 FieldworkEnvironment(2)

Building on yesterday’s introduction, students will visit a selection of different environments, focusing more on a human theme. Students will be introduced to a range of possible fieldwork methods and data collection techniques and will discuss possible ideas for geographical research questions. Students will also discuss what makes a ‘good’ or valuable primary data and develop their understanding of how to select a fieldwork technique.

IndependentTitlesandSecondaryResearch

During this evening session, students will independently finalise the draft titles of their investigation. Teachers will have the opportunity to confirm that students’ titles have the potential to meet the assessment criteria and provide any general guidance necessary. Students will develop their justification and contextualisation of how their enquiry will help them answer their title. In addition, using FSC databases and research facilities, students will independently select any secondary data sources they may require.

4 MethodologyandSamplingPlanning

During this session students will plan and select their methodologies and sampling strategies, collaborating in groups if needed, to plan how they will collect the primary field data they need.

PrimaryDataCollection

Students will spend the day in their chosen location collecting the data they require, they may work individually or in groups, supervised by FSC and school staff.

PrimaryDataCollation

During this evening session students will ensure that they have a personal set of the data required for their project, to ensure that they can move on the presentation stage of the investigation independently. Supporting ICT and GIS packages will be available for students to use if needed.

5 IndependentDataPresentationandSecondaryResearch

During this session, students will work independently on the next aspect of their research project. Some students will want to continue with some secondary or primary research, while others may want to start to present their data. FSC staff will provide technical support on the research databases, GIS and ICT that students may need to use.

DepartatMidday

A final farewell from FSC staff as the students depart at midday.

Pleasenote: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for students, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at Centres.

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysIntroduction to the Fieldwork NEA



Learning OpportunitiesStudents will visit a local field site which will provide the backdrop to explore how to ask geographical questions, design sampling strategies and build research proposals. This session will also set the scene for the rest of the course, as students are introduced to an outline of the stages of an investigation and mark scheme, including the expectations relating to independence and teacher guidance.

Students will be introduced to the fieldwork skills section of the specification through a hands-on local field trip. They will explore the enquiry process through-out its stages. Students will work through a focused local investigation to review and revise the fieldwork skills needed to develop their own later in the course. This session will be designed around the expertise of the students, their progression from AS or GCSE and any particular needs of the group, to ensure that they are ready to progress effectively through-out the rest of the field course.

Students will:• Considerarangeofpossibleenquiryquestionsand/orhypotheses.• Collectaselectionofdatatobuildabroadfamiliarisationwiththeenvironment.• Beintroducedtowiderangeofprofessionalfieldsurveyingequipment,includingdigitaltechnologies.

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysResearch Workshop



Learning OpportunitiesDuring this workshop students will be introduced to a wide range of potential secondary data sources and information. They will explore how secondary research can be used to justify a research aim, question or hypothesis. In addition students will be given the opportunity to explore online and hard copy resources containing primary data collection and sampling techniques.

In this workshop, students will begin to consider what literature research is and how to conduct research that defines and contextualises an investigation. FSC field teachers will support and assist students to begin to undertake their own individual literature research relating to the possible location and area of study chosen for the independent investigation, this will help them begin to identify aims, questions and/or hypotheses within a broad context.

They may also:• Contextualisetheareaofstudywithinthecontextofthewidergeographicalthinking.• Developcriticalopinionsoftheareaofstudyandlocation,basedonresearch.• Identifysecondarydatasourceswhichmaydeveloptherobustnessoftheindividualinvestigation.• Identifygapsinunderstandingrelatingtothelocationorareaofstudy.• Interpretinformation,explainingtherelevanceofdifferentsourcesofinformation.• Starttodevelopargumentsandsynthesisofcurrentinformation.

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysFieldwork Environment (1)



Learning OpportunitiesDuring this session students will visit a selection of local contrasting physical environments and explore the possible fieldwork locations and themes that could arise. Students will be introduced to a range of possible fieldwork methods and data collection techniques and will discuss possible ideas for geographical research questions. Students will also discuss what makes a ‘good’ or valuable primary data and develop their understanding of how to select a fieldwork technique.

Popular areas of study include specification links:

3.1Physicalgeography

3.1.1Waterandcarboncycles3.1.1.1 Water and carbon cycles as natural systems3.1.1.2 The water cycle 3.1.1.3 The carbon cycle3.1.1.4 Water, carbon, climate and life on Earth 3.1.1.6 Case studies: Case study of a river catchment(s) at a local scale to illustrate and analyse the key themes above, engage with field data and consider the impact of precipitation upon drainage basin stores and transfers and implications for sustainable water supply and/or flooding.

3.1.3Coastalsystemsandlandscapes3.1.3.1 Coasts as natural systems3.1.3.2 Systems and processes3.1.3.3 Coastal landscape development3.1.3.4 Coastal management3.1.3.6 Case studies: Case study(ies) of coastal environment(s) at a local scale to illustrate and analyse fundamental coastal processes, their landscape outcomes as set out above and engage with field data and challenges represented in their sustainable management.

3.1.4Glacialsystemsandlandscapes3.1.4.1 Glaciers as natural systems3.1.4.3 Systems and processes3.1.4.4 Glaciated landscape development

3.1.6Ecosystemsunderstress3.1.6.1 Ecosystems and sustainability3.1.6.2 Ecosystems and processes3.1.6.4 Ecosystems in the British Isles over time3.1.6.6 Local ecosystems3.1.6.7 Case studies: Case study of a specified ecosystem at a local scale to illustrate and analyse key themes set out above, including the nature and properties of the ecosystem, human impact upon it and the challenges and opportunities presented in its sustainable development.

3.2.4Populationandtheenvironment3.2.4.2 Environment and population:Characteristics and distribution of two key zonal soils to exemplify relationship between soils and human activities especially agriculture. Soil problems and their management as they relate to agriculture: soil erosion, waterlogging, salinisation, structural deterioration.3.2.4.7 Case studies:Case study of a specified local area to illustrate and analyse the relationship between place and health related to its physical environment, socio-economic character and the experience and attitudes of its populations.

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysData Presentation Workshop



Learning OpportunitiesFocusing on GIS as well as traditional presentation methods students will be introduced to a selection of possible methods that they may wish to incorporate within their research project.

In this session students will be introduced to a range of data presentation and building on the day’s fieldwork. FSC field tutors will develop students’ original presentation ideas and enhance these in light of their acquired location and data knowledge.

Students may:• Reviewknowndatapresentationtechniquesandresearchothers.• Identifywhichdatacanbeappropriatelypresentedinbasicandsimpleways.• Identifywhichdatasetswouldbemoreappropriatelycombinedorpresentedmoresophisticatedly.• Usedigitaltechnologiestopresentandstarttoset-uprepresentationsforfurtheranalysis.

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysStatistics Workshop



Learning OpportunitiesDuring this evening session, students will be introduced to a selection of possible statistical techniques and explore how these can be useful in a research project.

FSC teaching staff will run workshops on statistical analysis or significance testing, linking to the field sites visited during the day and provide students with FSC past data sets and model non-numerical analysis techniques.

Students will:• Starttounderstandhowtodevelopconclusionslinkedtotheiraimsandquestions.• Buildideasabouthowresearchingmoresecondarydatacanprovidedepthtotheconclusions.• ExtendtheirgeographicalunderstandingbyusingFSCresearchanddatafacilities.• Starttounderstandhowtoevaluatethesuccessoftheinvestigation,lookingatthereliabilityofthedatasourcesandcollectionmethods.• PresentandanalysedigitaldatausingGeographicalInformationSystems(GIS).

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysFieldwork Environment (2)



Learning OpportunitiesBuilding on yesterday’s introduction, students will visit a selection of different environments, focusing more on a human theme. Students will be introduced to a range of possible fieldwork methods and data collection techniques and will discuss possible ideas for geographical research questions. Students will also discuss what makes a ‘good’ or valuable primary data and develop their understanding of how to select a fieldwork technique.

Popular areas of study include specification links:

3.2Humangeography

3.2.2Changingplaces3.2.2.1 The nature and importance of places3.2.2.2 Changing places – relationships, connections, meaning and representation3.2.2.4 Place studies

3.2.3Contemporaryurbanenvironments3.2.3.1Urbanisation3.2.3.2Urbanforms3.2.3.3 Social and economic issues associated with urbanisation3.2.3.4Urbanclimate3.2.3.5Urbandrainage3.2.3.6Urbanwasteanditsdisposal3.2.3.7 Other contemporary urban environmental issues3.2.3.8 Sustainable urban development3.2.3.9 Case studies:Case studies of two contrasting urban areas to illustrate and analyse key themes set out above, to include:•patternsofeconomicandsocialwell-being•thenatureandimpactofphysicalenvironmentalconditions.with particular reference to the implications for environmental sustainability, the character of the study areas and the experience and attitudes of their populations.

3.2.5Resourcesecurity3.2.5.3 Water security 3.2.5.4 Energy security

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysIndependent Titles and Secondary Research



Learning OpportunitiesDuring this evening session, students will independently finalise the draft titles of their investigation. Teachers will have the opportunity to confirm that student’s titles have the potential to meet the assessment criteria and provide any general guidance necessary. Students will develop their justification and contextualisation of how their enquiry will help them answer their title. In addition, using FSC data bases and research facilities, students will independently select any secondary data sources they may require.

In this session students will develop and design their own independent investigation. They will define their aim, questions and/or hypotheses relating to a section of the specification content and begin to explore the relevant research literature which gives the context for the investigation.

During this session they will also:• Sketchoutaninvestigationplantoaddressthegeographicalaimsoftheinvestigation.• Definethegeographicaltopicorissuewhichunderpinstheinvestigation.• Refinetheirknowledgeandrepresentationoftheresearchlocationusinggeo-spatialtechniques.

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysMethodology and Sampling Planning



Learning OpportunitiesDuring this session students will plan and select their methodologies and sampling strategies, collaborating in groups if needed, to plan how they will collect the primary field data they need.

Students will:• Developadatadesignframework,consistingofsamplingstrategy,frequency,rangeandlocationchoiceofprimaryfielddata.• Planforappropriatedatapresentationandstatisticaltechniques.• Developjustificationsfortheirproposedqualitativeandquantitativedatamethodologies,includingunderstandingofanyappropriateethic and social-political dimensions.• Prepareanyfieldworkequipmentneededincludingdigitaltechnologies.

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysPrimary Data Collection



Learning OpportunitiesStudents will spend the day in their chosen location collecting the data they require, they may work individually or in groups, supervised by FSC and school staff.

During this day students will work individually or within groups, as appropriate, to collect initial primary field data.

Students will have opportunity to:• Observeandrecordphenomenaanddatavariablesaccordingtotheirdatadesignframework.• Demonstratetheirpracticalknowledgeandskillinhandingdatacollectiontechnologiesandequipment.• Buildtheirunderstandingoftheconceptsunderlyingandprocessesoperatingwithintherealworldenvironment.

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysPrimary Data Collation



Learning OpportunitiesDuring this evening session students will ensure that they have a personal set of the data required for their project, to ensure that they can move on the presentation stage of the investigation independently. Supporting ICT and GIS packages will be available for students to use if needed.

Students will have the opportunity to ensure they have a full set of the data they require for their study. They will use FSC databases to search for location specific background data to support their study as well as external secondary data sets.

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysIndependent Data Presentation and Secondary Research



Learning OpportunitiesDuring this session, students will work independently on the next aspect of their research project. Some students will want to continue with some secondary research, while others may want to start to present their data. FSC staff will provide technical support on the research databases, GIS and ICT that students may need to use.

In this final session of the course, students will be supported to start their data analysis.

Students will:• Starttodevelopanddrawconclusionslinkedtotheiraimsandquestions.• Researchmoresecondarydata,toprovidedepthtotheconclusions.• ExtendtheirgeographicalunderstandingbyusingFSCresearchanddatafacilities.• Produceextendedwritinglinkingaspectsoftheinvestigationintoareportstructure.• Starttoevaluatethesuccessoftheinvestigation,lookingatthereliabilityofthedatasourcesandcollectionmethods.• PresentandanalysedigitaldatausingGeographicalInformationSystems(GIS).

A Level Geography: Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 daysFSC Centres



Centres that offer this course

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Gla

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UrbanEnvironments

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BL Blencathra P P P P P

CH Castle Head P P P P P P

DF Dale Fort P P P P P

FM Flatford Mill P P P P P

JH Juniper Hall P P P P P

MA Margam P P P P P P

MT Malham Tarn P P P P P P

NC Nettlecombe P P P P P

OR Orielton P P P P P

PM Preston Montford P P P P P

RC Rhyd-y-creuau P P P P P P

SL Slapton P P P P P Please contact us for more information about specific topics and their availability at Centres.

To book this course, simply: Choose the time of the year you would like to attend1. Pick the Centre(s) of interest2. Check availability online, contact head office to check availability across multiple Centres or contact the

Centre(s) of your choice directly To book this course the minimum size of your group must be 12 students and one member of staff.

Head Office contact details:Tel: 01743 852100 Email: [email protected]

a level geography coursework: aqa independent investigation · a level geography aqa coursework:...

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