1. Geography Skills
A summary

2. Investigations Choosing a topic area
Topics into a question or hypothesis
Consider scale/accessibility/spatial
Make sure it is realistic in time available/achievable
Use of theories
Clear aim/sub questions
Risk assessment

3. Plan/strategy method/plan Limitations/justifications
Collection of primary or secondary data
Sampling size, types (linear, point, random, areal … pragmatic for rivers systematic … speed sampling, using grids ….stratified sampling over different soil types
Location
time

4. Points to check/think about
(make sure data is accurate(!), reliable, register anomalies)
Collecting data in Arran, Cambridge in Local study
Quantitative and qualitative
Subjective and objective
Sampling (unbiased, precise, large enough, collected easily)
Questionnaires (design one that will collect data about tourists in Norwich)
/ surveys (design one to collect information on tourist attractions in Norwich)
/interviews (design on the street interviews with tourists in Norwich.)

5. Types of data Discrete data = Distinct parts - crop yields Ordinal =
Ranked
Continuous=
Continuous –wind speed/temperature
Areal =
Per km2
Time-series =
Intervals/time lapse – rainfall
Period =
Intervals like census

6. Presenting data
Graph, photo, satellite, ICT, pictograms, histograms, frequency curves, overlays, maps, tables, models, pie charts, triangular charts, dispersion diagrams, scatter charts
Maps.. topographic, geology, GOAD, Land-use, postcode maps, dot maps, chloropleth, proportional maps, isoline maps, flow maps
Weather maps,
GIS

7. Analysis and interpretation
What does your data show?
What can this tell you about your area of study?
How can this be applied in future?
How may other groups use this data?

8. Risk assessment
What are the potential risks and how can they be minimised?

9. SWOT analysis S – Strengths = W – Weaknesses = O – Opportunities =
T – Threats =