1. My Water GI Log

What is Fieldwork in GI?

Stage 1: Framing the questions

What are question frames?

Anyone planning to conduct a GI should start by asking questions in order to decide on the focus of the investigation. Although we could ask any question we like, using question frames will help to ensure that our questions are logical and relevant to the investigation.

A question frame is basically a set of related questions that we can use in order to better understand the issue or phenomenon that we want to investigate. Two common types of question frame are:

5W1H
Neighbour's Core Questions

5W1H

In this question frame, we ask questions beginning with the words what, where, why, when, who and how. The diagram below shows some examples of possible questions that can be asked using this question frame:

Neighbour's Core Questions

The second question frame is the 'Neighbour's Core Questions,' which comprises a set of 5 specific questions, which help to guide our investigation into an issue or phenomenon that we are interested in:

Setting the Context: Sustainable Management of Singapore's Water Resources

Water is a precious resource to sustain life. It is common to find people living and working near water stores. Human activities can both positively and negatively affect the quality of water stores.

With limited land space and a growing population, it is crucial to manage Singapore's water resources in order to ensure sustainability for our future generations.

What are some human activities you have noticed or observed near water stores in Singapore?

Do you think the human activities you have mentioned impact water quality positively or negatively?

Understanding the purpose of our GI

As you go through each stage of our GI, you will have the opportunity to:

- explore and learn about factors contributing to the state of the water quality in a water store
- observe the human activities taking place in and around the water store, and
- uncover how people's actions as well as how the natural environment affect water quality.

This will in turn enable you to develop actions to maintain or improve water quality and promote sustainability of the water stores. These are steps that we can take as concerned and active citizens to contribute to the sustainable management of the water stores around us, so that future generations can enjoy them.

With the help of video you have watched and the digital map above, what do you think are some human activities carried out near Punggol Waterway.

Framing the GI

STAGE 1 of the GI process requires you to frame the investigation by formulating questions.

Our GI seeks to answer the following inquiry question:

“How do human activities impact water quality?”

Earlier, you had an overview of the different features near Lorong Halus wetland, and had discussed possible human activities that may occur near the river. You may then wish to refine your research question based on the location you have chosen as your research site.

In order to frame the investigation, it would be helpful to generate some guiding questions. Use the question frames that you learnt about earlier to help you.

For instance, to answer the inquiry question “How do human activities impact water quality of Punggol Waterway?”, some possible guiding questions include:

5W1H question frame

Who are the people who carry out activities near the river?

What are the human activities carried out near the river?

Where along the river do people carry out their activities?

What are the positive and/or negative impacts of the activities that take place near the river?

Neighbour's Core Questions

What changes can be made to encourage sustainable management of Punggol Waterway?

What is the impact of Punggol River being located next to the Punggol Waterway Park?

Stage 2: Collecting Data

STAGE 2 is when you have to decide what data you need to collect as part of your investigation, and how you will be collecting them.

Data are facts which are collected for reference or analysis, and from which conclusions can be drawn. They can be classified into primary data and secondary data. Both types have their advantages and will give you a better understanding of the issue or phenomenon that you are investigating.

What are primary and secondary data?

What is Primary Data?

Data that you collect first-hand through fieldwork

Examples

Taking photographs
Recording field notes
Drawing field sketches
Measuring water quality using test kits
Designing and conducting surveys or interviews

What is Secondary Data?

Data that have already been collected, compiled and/or published by others for other purposes.

Examples

In print form, such as books, newspapers and brochures

Can also be in digital form, such as websites and many journals

What primary data will we collect for this GI?

In order to carry out GI, you will need to learn the following primary data collection methods:

Conduct water quality tests (for turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and pH levels)
Taking photographs
Recording field notes
Drawing field sketches

Steps to collect primary data

Take measurements at 3 different locations that are sufficiently far apart from one another. 3 different locations is just a guide and perhaps a baseline. If the fieldsite requires and permits more locations, more sets of data can be collected.

At each location, take 3 measurements of each variable to minimise human error and to ensure that the data collected is consistent.

For each location, calculate the average of the 3 measurements of each variable and record it.

An example of how you may wish to record your measurements is shown below.

Recording Sheet A

a) Map of the waterway

Name of field site:

Indicate on the map below with a letter ‘X’ showing the site where your group will collect primary data.

Briefly describe the weather conditions (e.g., temperature, rainfall & wind) on the actual day of fieldwork. How will it affect your investigation?

Find out the history of Punggol Waterway Park. How will this knowledge affect your investigation?

b) Water Testing

For each indicator of water quality, you have to write down the following:

definition
steps to measure it
precautions taken to ensure accuracy of readings
calculation of the average of three readings

Recording Sheet B

i) Turbidity

Definition:

Turbidity is the measure of the relative clarity of water.

Importance:

Murkiness can give some clues to what may be in the water. There may be dissolved pollutants or bacteria. However, murky water does not necessarily mean there is pollution.

Steps for measuring turbidity:

1. Pour the collected sample water into the white container.

2. Compare the appearance of Secchi disk icon in the container to the chart.

Precautions taken to ensure accuracy of readings:

· Fill up the container to the fill line.

· Record the result as turbidity in JTU.

Data Collection

ii) Dissolved Oxygen

Definition:

The dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved in a given volume of water, at a given temperature and atmospheric pressure. This can be measured in milligrams per litre (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm).

Importance:

The minimum amount of dissolved oxygen needed to sustain fish life is about 4 mg/l.

Steps for measuring dissolved oxygen:

1. Fill the vial to the brim.

2. Ensure no air bubbles are visible

3. Insert 2 tablets for dissolved oxygen testing

4. Cover the vial with the black cap

5. Shake the vial continuously for 10 minutes

6. Observe colour change and compare colour against the dissolved oxygen chart.

Precautions taken to ensure accuracy of readings:

· Vial must be submerged into the white container while filling the vial with collected water. This is to avoid introducing bubbles in the vial.

· Always place the vial against the white background when comparing collected water with the given chart.

Data Collection

iii) pH value

Definition:

It is a measurement of acidity or alkalinity of an aqueous solution.

Importance:

· Most aquatic animals prefer a range of pH 6.5 to 8.0.

· pH can be affected by acid rain or wastewater discharges.

· If the living conditions have a pH value away from this range, these aquatic animals will either flee or die.

Steps for measuring pH:

1. Fill the test tube up to the 10 ml mark.

2. Insert a pH tablet into the test tube.

3. Shake the test tube continuously for 5 minutes

4. Observe colour change and compare colour against the pH chart.

Precautions taken to ensure accuracy of readings:

Always place the test tube against the white background when comparing collected water with the given chart.

Data Collection

Recording Sheet C

c) Observation of Positive Human Activities

i. What are the positive human activities that you observe at this site? How would these activities improve the water quality?

ii. What are other possible sources (which may not be observable during your fieldwork) that may improve the water quality?

iii. Are there measures (e.g., presence of netting to trap rubbish, etc.) to ensure that the quality of water would be able to support aquatic fishes as well as meet the needs of humans?

Recording Sheet D

d) Observation of Negative Human Activities

i. What are the negative human activities that you observe at this site? How would these activities affect the water quality?

ii. What are other possible source (which may not be observable during your fieldwork) that may affect the water quality?

iii. Are there measures (e.g., presence of netting to trap rubbish, etc.) to ensure that the quality of water would be able to support aquatic fishes as well as meet the needs of humans?

e) Annotated Photograph

Insert your annotated photograph here.

f) Annotated Field Sketch

Insert your annotated field sketch here.

An example of a field sketch with annotation to better understand how human activities can affect the water quality in the waterway.

Stage 3: Analyse Data

Recording Sheet E

Interpret, analyse and represent data gathered

Welcome back to class! After measuring the water quality, taking notes and taking photographs of the waterway, your group will have to start analysing the data collected. An important question to ask yourself and each other is: How do the data we have collected help us to answer the main GI questions of ‘What is the quality of water in a waterway or water body? How do human activities affect the quality of water in a waterway or water body?'

Based on the data collected, your group will need to interpret and analyse the average reading obtained for each indicator. Together, with reference to your notes for human activities and annotated photographs, write a summary on what is observed and explanation on various indicators of water quality and human activities.

For each water indicator (i.e., turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH), you could use the following questions to guide you in the analysis of your group data:

· What is the average reading?

· What does this reading tell you about the turbidity or dissolved oxygen or pH of water in the waterway or water body?

· Is the reading within the acceptable range for use by humans and able to support aquatic fishes?

· What does the reading tell you about the water quality at this field site along the waterway or water body?

Turbidity

Dissolved Oxygen

pH value

Human Activities

You could use the following questions to guide you in the analysis of your group data:

· What are the observed effects of human activities on the water quality in the waterway or water body?

· What other human activities are likely to be carried out near this waterway or water body at other times of the day and on weekends? How do these human activities affect the water quality?

- People littering(People who cycle, jog, walk around the area)
- People opening restaurant nearby(Air pollution, temperature rise)

Stage 4: Drawing geographical conclusions

For our Geographical Investigation, we are interested in describing and explaining:

Spatial patterns (e.g. how does water quality change across a transect of the river?)

Temporal patterns (e.g. how does water quality change at a sample site over time?)

Click the link below to see a comparison of the two images on a time slider.

Compare the temporal pattern over the 10 years https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/juxtapose/latest/embed/index.html?uid=104011ce-63bb-11eb-83c8-ebb5d6f907df

Relationships between variables(e.g. what is the relationship between human actions and water quality)

Based on the data you have collected during your fieldwork, craft an evidence-based response that answers your inquiry question.

You may refer to the template below to help guide your response if needed.

Stage 5 Reflecting and Take action

You may be thinking that a GI should be complete the moment you have managed to draw conclusion(s) based on the data that you have collected. However, how confident are you that your findings are accurate? Did you encounter any difficulties while carrying out the GI which may have affected your findings, and which you could have avoided? What else can you do with your findings?

A fruitful and effective GI would not be complete without reflecting on the process and taking action to change or improve the situation that you were investigating with the help of your findings!

Reflecting

Reflecting involves examining and thinking about the experiences, actions, feelings and responses that you had during the course of conducting the GI, with the aim of learning from the process.

Although you could simply describe what you did or felt during each of the GI stages, it would be more useful to ask yourself the following questions after completing each GI stage:

Stage 1

Was the way in which you framed the GI clear? Did it help you to narrow down exactly what you wanted to investigate? Did it help you to identify what sort of data to collect thereafter? Why or why not?

Stage 2

Were the steps that you took to collect data sufficient to ensure that you collected accurate data? Why or why not?
What are some possible limitations of the data that you collected?
What could you have done to improve the way that you collected data? What other data could you have collected to aid your investigation further?

Stage 3

Why did you choose certain methods of presenting your data and not others? Could your data be analysed more easily if you had chosen another method of presenting them?

Stage 4

Are you confident that the conclusion(s) you made are accurate? If yes, why? If no, why not?

What are the strengths of your data collection methods?

What are the limitations of your data collection methods?

What are the ways to improve your investigation?

Taking action

What can we do with all our findings at the end of the GI? Well, we can go one step further by coming up with an action plan based on our findings, to change/improve/find out more about the issue/phenomenon/problem that we had been investigating through the GI. We should use the data that we collected and analysed during the GI to inform and justify our action plan.

When coming up with an action plan, you should ask yourself the following questions:

what objectives do you wish to achieve?
what steps do you have to take in order to achieve those objectives?
who will be involved and/or will benefit as a result?
which steps are more important and should be taken first?
what will you do if your original plan is unsuccessful?

Target area(s) for improvement:

Based on your findings, what aspect(s) of the environment or people's quality of life need(s) improvement?

Action plan

What steps will you take to bring about the improvement(s) that you identified?

What resources (e.g. manpower, materials) will you need?

Who will you present your action plan to?

When will you present your action plan?

Justifications

Why will the steps that you have proposed help to bring about the improvement(s)?

Why will the resources that you have identified help you to carry out your action plan?

Why have you identified this particular person/organisation to present your action plan to?

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