Gathering and Processing Techniques Enquiry Skills Gathering and Processing Techniques

Gathering Techniques Gathering techniques allow us to find out information. There are many different gathering techniques that you could be asked to use in your exam. Take note of any information in italics, these are likely exam questions

Observing and Recording Field sketching Drawing a picture of the area you are looking at. River valleys, urban land use, settlement. Observing and Recording Looking and noting features. Weather factors, traffic, land use, age of buildings Extracting Information Looking carefully at the table/diagram/article you are given. Satellite photos, climate graphs, newspaper articles, census data, land uses.

Extracting information from maps This is always the first question, you should look at: height, aspect, farming, industry, landforms. Old maps especially; former land use and industries. Questionnaires To gather information and opinions in the field. Sphere of influence, effects of industry, land use conflict Interviewing Asking a range of people for their opinions. Sphere of influence, industrial change, the weather, views on trade and aid.

Processing Techniques Processing techniques are used to alter any gathered information and present it. A processing technique should make information easier to use and understand. Information is normally changed into graphs, tables, maps or diagrams.

Graphs Graphs are one of the most common ways of presenting information. You should be able to create the following: Climate graph Bar graphs Multiple line graph Line graph Divided bar graph Scatter graph Pie-graph/chart Population Pyramid

You may also be asked to alter/add to/look at information already on a diagram/map Cross sections Annotating diagrams Transects This is a side on view of the land, it shows the shape of the land Add labels to diagram etc. to point out features or add more information This is a cross section which shows features. Shows the link between relief and land use Normally shown on top of a map. Information such as; land use, population distribution, migration, movement of goods Recording information on maps

And finally…. Tabulating Rose Diagram Turning available information into a table to compare results/places. Rose Diagram Compares the amount of something in different compass directions, normally wind direction.