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Geographical Inquiry Skills
The study of geography will give you the ability to understand the relationships between the world's peoples, places and environments. As a geographer you get to ask questions and then seek answers to them, in what we call a geographical inquiry. Which can be done working as an individual, or as part of a group.
Here are some examples of geographical questions:
Why are there many different types of landscapes around the world and how are they formed?
Where is the best place to live?
How can we look after our water resources, so we have enough for the future?
What are the effects of tourism in different places?
Copy the bolded and underlined words below:
There are three main steps to a geographical inquiry:
Acquiring Information - Your ability to collect information that is focused and well planned.
Processing Information - Evaluate the sources and techniques to determine they are reliable and presenting your information in a range of different forms (graphs, tables, diagrams, sketch maps and annotated photographs).
Communicating Information - Choose a method for presenting your information that is appropriate to the audience, include explanations of how and why the investigation took place.
Geographical Tools
Geographers use a range of tools to help them collect information during a geographical inquiry. These tools include:
maps
fieldwork
graphs and statistics
spatial technologies (satellite information)
equipment
Collecting your own data and information.
Task
Create a spider diagram over at least half a page.
In the middle, draw a circle and inside it, write the subheading: Geographical Tools.
Then, create a spider leg for each of the five bullet points listed above. Make sure they are spaced out and have room underneath to add more information.
Maps are the most basic tool of geography, but they are the most effective way to locate, represent, display and record spatial information. Geographers use both digital (GIS) and non-digital maps.
Task - add the list of maps to your 'maps' spider leg:
physical
relief
topographic
weather
precis
choropleth
2. Fieldwork involves observing, measuring, collecting and recording information and data outside the classroom. It can be undertaken within the school grounds, around the local neighbouring area or at more distant locations.
Task - add these tools used in fieldwork to your 'fieldwork' spider leg.
weather instruments
identification charts
photographs
measuring devices
3. Graphs and Statistics include information in the form of numbers (traffic counts and surveys), called statistics are presented through the use of graphs.
Task - add these types of graphs to your spider diagram
column graphs
pie graphs
climate graphs
population profiles
data tables
4. Spatial Technologies involve using satellite information and virtual maps to explore and record information. When you use Global Positioning System (GPS) or Google Earth you are using a form of spatial technology. Spatial technologies are any software or hardware that interacts with real-world locations. Geographic information systems (GIS) are another commonly used spatial technology that helps us analyse, display and record spatial data.
Task
Under 'Spatial Technologies' write out in full the terms: Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
5. Below is a list of some common geographical equipment used by geographers to help them carry out their geographic inquiry.
Task
Under your 'equipment' heading, choose six pieces of equipment from the list below at random and ddd them as dot points under your heading.
Then, watch the video.
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