Geographical investigation (GI)

What is Geographical Investigation?

Inquiry Cycle

Stages of Geographical investigation:

STAGE 1: Framing the GI

What is a hypothesis?

Expressed as a statement that can be accepted or rejected
Consist of a prediction that can be tested by data collected from fieldwork
Typically consist of an independent variable (cause) and a dependent variable (effect)
Must be specific and measurable

Examples:
- - “The older the student, the longer the time they spend in the washroom.”
  - “The presence of accessibility ramps will improve the quality of life of the elderly.”

STAGE 2: Collecting data

Sampling

Sampling is the process of selecting respondents from a population, because it is often impossible to record everything or interview every single person.
- For example, it is not possible to interview everyone within a neighbourhood because it is too time-consuming/expensive to survey the entire population.

Consider these questions as you watch the video:

How much time would it require to gather data using this method?
Is there an equal chance for everyone to be selected?
Would it be a true representation of the population?

STAGE 3: ANAlysing and Presenting Data

There are a variety of methods which you can use to present numerical data (i.e. data expressed in numbers that you can count or measure):
- Table
- Simple bar graph
- Simple line graph
- Pie chart

Find out more on how to choose the appropriate data presentation method below:

STAGE 4: drawing conclusions

After having represented your data using suitable methods and analysing them, you are now able to draw conclusions. A conclusion is a judgement or decision about something that you have reached in a logical and sensible way, based on your findings, e.g.:
- General statement on overall conclusion to the inquiry question
- Data collection
- Evidence to support general statement
- Were there any unusual data? (anomalies)

Examples:

Data presentation:

Drawing conclusion:

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