Methodology

/12

http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/gcse/coursework/introduction.html

Sampling

• Random – sample sites are chosen at random. However bias can play a part – you choose spots that look like they fit a pattern!

• A solution: A number grid overlaid over map – a computer Generated random number table isUsed to select which squares to Sample in.

• Systematic - samples are taken at fixed intervals, (e.g. every tenth building), usually along a line. This normally involves doing transects, where a sampling line is set up across areas where there are clear changes.

For each method:

• What did you do? In detail step by step (detailed enough for someone else to carry out the trip from your instructions)

• Sampling techniques, size and time carried out• Why did you do it? Link it to which of your smaller

hypotheses it will help you answer and how it fits in with the overall hypothesis.

• Plus your unique method – indicate how it makes a significant contribution to your investigation.

Examples

1.

‘I’ shows initiative/unique data

This candidate scored 12/12 for their methodology.

2.

This candidate scored 11/12 - Descriptions are clear butsome of the justifications could be stronger, e.g. the candidate could have provided some explanation as to why the five shop types were chosen.

3.

3.

This candidate scored 11/12 - a little more detail could have been provided with regard to justifications of sampling, times of day etc.

Method Sample

size? Time? date? Type?

Weather?

How am I going to do it? Why am I doing it?

For each method:

• What did you do? In detail step by step (detailed enough for someone else to carry out the trip from your instructions)

• Sampling techniques, size and time carried out• Why did you do it? Link it to which of your smaller

hypotheses it will help you answer and how it fits in with the overall hypothesis.

• Plus your unique method – indicate how it makes a significant contribution to your investigation.

Method Sample size?

How am I going to do it?

Why am I doing it?

Land use survey Sampling techniques, size and time carried out

What did you do? In detail step by step (detailed enough for someone else to carry out the trip from your instructions)

Why did you do it? Link it to which of your smaller hypotheses it will help you answer and how it fits in with the overall hypothesis. MAKE USE OF KEY TERMS AND JUSTIFY WHY YOU DID IT LINKING DIRECTLY TO HYPOTHESES!

Pedestrian count

• Aim: Investigate a National Park or coastal resort as a tourist destination.

• Broadstairs is a popular resort• Tourism is having positive and negative effects

on Broadstairs.• Broadstairs Manages it’s tourism well.• EXTENSION: Broadstairs is in a state of

decline or rejuvenation

Environmental quality

questionnaire

UNIQUE- ENSURE YOU USE “I” when completing this one!

It’s over to you......

Make sure you keep referring backto the marking grid.

Remember DETAIL is really important and justifying why you did each method.

Without your own method you can only get maximum of 8/12.

Unique elementYou could come up with your own small hypothesis

OR plan a method that adds more data to an existing hypothesis.• Annotated photo’s – to show environmental impacts• Annotated photo’s – to show management of the honeypots• Location of bins and mapping of them in relation to the sites• Interviews e.g. The person working in the tourist info• Question residents e.g. On a map where do they think the honeypot

sites in Broadstairs are?• footpath erosion study - they could take quadrats and use them up on

the cliff area• interviews with shop keepers• car park study - e.g. how full they are, costs etc.• house price survey - and compare to a non tourist area.

Unique elementWhat is my unique method?

What hypothesis does it help me to answer/ Why am I doing it?

What exactly do I have to do? How are you going to collect data?

How can I present this data in a meaningful way?

What Am I expecting to find out from collecting this data?

Broadstairs is a popular resortTourism is having positive and negative effects on Broadstairs.A range of people (stakeholders) are affected by tourism in Broadstairs.Extension: The positive effects far outweigh the negatives in Broadstairs

What should be done?

• Introduction– Hypotheses– Locational detail (3 scales, compass directions, distance,

access roads etc)– Back ground information (KEY TERMS-pick 6, define them and

use them throughout the project- needs evidence in every section, KEY THEORIES)

• Methodology– Use times, locations, sampling strategy, and JUSTIFY WHY YOU

DID IT!