1. Fieldwork assessment The difference between AS and A2 David Redfern
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2. What this presentation covers
The nature of investigative (fieldwork) skills at AS and A2
The requirements of the assessment of fieldwork at AS
The requirements of the assessment of fieldwork at A2
A summary of the progression from AS to A2.

3. Investigative (fieldwork) skills at AS and A2
These are the same for both levels:
Identifying aims, geographical questions and issues, and effective approaches to enquiry.
Risk assessment and identification of strategies for minimising health and safety risks.
Identifying, selecting and collecting quantitative and qualitative evidence, including the use of appropriate sampling techniques, from primary (including fieldwork) and secondary sources.
The processing, presentation, analysis and interpretation of evidence.
Drawing conclusions and showing an awareness of the validity of those conclusions including evaluation and further research opportunities.

4. The starting point of the investigationAS
Describe the purpose of your fieldwork enquiry.
Describe the characteristic features of your study area.
Draw an annotated sketch map showing its characteristics.
Describe the underlying theory, concept or issue which formed the basis of your enquiry. A2
Explain the reasons why you selected this aim for investigation.
Explain the importance of the choice of location for your investigation in relation to your aim(s).
Explain how the location of your fieldwork was relevant to the theory/concept/issue being investigated.

5. Health and safety and risk assessment
Describe the measures you took to minimise the health and safety risks involved in your investigation. A2
Justify the measures you took to minimise the health and safety risks involved in your investigation.

6. Types of data and data collectionAS
Outline one method of primary data collection used in the field in your investigation
Describe a sampling technique you used to collect data.
Outline how you obtained and why you used secondary data in your enquiry. A2
Evaluate the suitability of this method of primary data collection.
Justify how you made sure that the data collected were as accurate and reliable as possible.
Justify improvements you would make to a method of data collection that you used.

7. Data presentation and analysisAS
Describe one method you used to present data collected in your fieldwork investigation.
With reference to one technique to present data in your enquiry, justify the choice of this technique.
Describe advantages of a technique used to analyse your data. A2
Assess the usefulness of one method of data presentation that you used in your investigation.
Describe one technique of data analysis that you used and justify its inclusion in your investigation.
Explain how far the data you collected made your analysis technique appropriate.

8. The outcomes of the investigationAS
Referring to your results, outline the main conclusions of your enquiry and suggest further areas of research.
Summarise the main findings of your fieldwork enquiry.
Explain how your fieldwork enquiry could have been improved. A2
Evaluate the usefulness of the conclusions reached in your investigation and consider their potential implications.
Evaluate the success of your investigation.
Discuss how your investigation helped your understanding of geographical theory.

9. What is the essential difference between AS and A2?
A2 assessment is more challenging than the AS equivalent. The questions have to demonstrate elements of progression, ‘synopticity’ and ‘stretch and challenge’.
Essentially, the differences between the two levels can be summarised as:
AS: assesses what you did on your fieldwork.
A2: assesses why you did what you did on your fieldwork.
In other words, questions at A2 are all evaluative.