Geographical Investigation

(a) Formulating aims and hypotheses/guiding questions:

Hypotheses/guiding questions as statements form the basis of fieldwork.

The hypotheses may investigate a geographical concept e.g. ‘The impact of tourism on an attraction is more positive than negative’.

Guiding questions like ‘Why are tourist activities more sustainable at X than at Y?’ may focus candidates to answer a question or solve a problem.

Steps to testing hypotheses or answering guiding questions include data collection, data analysis, data presentation and drawing conclusions from data.

(b) Data collection:

Types of skills in fieldwork:

(i) Observation – This is an inquiry skill to collect and record data through observation of physical features and human activities. Field sketches, annotated photographs, recording sheets and maps may all be used to record observations.

(ii) Measurement – When recording measurements, due consideration should be given to planning the layout of the recording sheet, the location of instruments and the sampling methods adopted to provide reliable data. For example, in physical geography topics, candidates need to know the equipment (e.g. clinometer) and techniques used.

(iii) Questionnaires – For example, in human geography, consideration should be given to factors influencing the successful design of questionnaires (e.g. layout, format and wording of questions and the number of questions) and the conduct of the questionnaires (e.g. the sampling methods – random, systematic, stratified, line, point and area sampling, pilot survey, and location of survey).

(iv) Interviews – This method should be used to collect in-depth information from a specific person or group of people. The interviewer should be reflective and take into consideration issues such as gender, experience and socio-economic status and also observe interview etiquette.

(c) Data analysis:

Describe and analyse the patterns and trends in data collected and suggest relationships.

Apply relevant geographical knowledge and understanding when interpreting and analysing the data.

(d) Data presentation techniques:

Present data using illustrations appropriate to the type of geographical investigation undertaken.

These include maps with proportional symbols (e.g. volume of tourist arrivals to Singapore), graphs (e.g. relationships between variables or across time), field sketches, sections and transects.

(e) Forming conclusions:

Using evidence from the data, candidates should be able to make judgments on the validity of the original hypothesis or reach a conclusion to answer the guiding question.

Comment on the reliability of the data collected and evaluate the data collection methods used.