IBDP Internal Assessment

Geography

2014

source: http://www.nationaalpark.nl/schiermonnikoog/

Name_______________________

Table of Content

Introduction to the Internal Assessment

Aim of the Internal assessment

Fieldwork question and Geographical context

Methodology

Data Presentation

Data Analysis

Conclusion and Evaluation

Background information Schiermonnikoog

Maps of Schiermonnikoog

Guidelines Internal assessment

Appendix: Coastal investigations Sampling techniques Data sheets

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INTRODUCTION TO INTERNAL ASSESSMENT AND FIELDWORK

The aim the Internal Assessment is to demonstrate your application and knowledge. It is a compulsory part of the IBDP Geography course. The weighting for Internal assessment is 25 % at SL and 20% at HL of your overall grade. The internal assessment includes a fieldwork study followed by a written report. The two-day fieldtrip to Schiermonnikoog is part of the data collection work that needs to be done for the Internal assessment. Data can be collected in groups; the fieldwork report is an individual piece of work.From the IBO Geography Syllabus:

“The fieldwork topic, fieldwork question and methods of information collection may be chosen by the teacher, the whole class, small groups or individuals. In the early stages of the investigation, students may collect fieldwork information in groups and collaborate on these findings and suitable methods of presentation. The written report must be the students’ individual work.” IB Geography Syllabus - page 61.

“As part of the learning process, teachers can give advice to students on a first draft of the internally assessed work. This advice should be in terms of the way the work could be improved, but this first draft must not be heavily annotated or edited by the teacher. The next version handed to the teacher after the first draft must be the final one.” IB Geography Syllabus - page 60.

The fieldwork study for both HL and SL students must be related to material in a specific sub-topic or development column listed in the syllabus, whether it is from the core theme, the optional themes or the HL extension. The fieldwork must be on a local scale and involve the collection of primary information. The chosen topic may be physical or human, or may integrate the two approaches.

You will do a fieldwork study based on the following sub-topics of the IBO syllabus:

Coastal margins

• Physical characteristics Examine the relationship between coastal processes (tides, wave action, littoral drift, wind action), lithology, sub-aerial processes and different coastal landforms.

Identify the major landforms of beaches, dunes and cliffs along advancing and retreating coasts.

• Management strategies Discuss the conflicts that arise from competing land uses and from attempts to manage coastal hazards (tsunamis and storm surges, erosion, cliff failure), pollution, habitat restoration and aquaculture.

• Case study Describe the conflicting pressures on a particular coastline.

Discuss the management strategies adopted to resolve these pressures and evaluate their effectiveness.

DATES AND DEADLINES:

18-20 JUNE 2014: Fieldtrip to Schiermonnikoog

7 JULY 2014: All data should be processed and entered on googledocs for all students to use.

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13 OCTOBER 2014: 1st Draft to be handed in to Geography teacher. This should include all sections complete.

2 DECEMBER 2014: Final IA to be handed to Geography teacher. Students need to hand in two printed copies.

To assist with the completion of the Internal Assessment please be aware of the following mini deadlines:

FIELDWORK QUESTION & GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT ___4 July 2013 METHODOLOGY _____________________ DATA PRESENTATION ____________________ DATA ANALYSIS ________________________ CONCLUSION & EVALUATION __________________

FORMAL REQUIREMENTS (4 marks out of 30)

The total word count of your Internal Assessment should not exceed 2500 words. The following are not included in the word count.

Title page Acknowledgements Contents page Titles and subtitles References Footnotes – up to a maximum of 15 words each Map legends and/or keys Labels – of 10 words or less Tables – of statistical or numerical data Calculations Appendices – containing only raw data and/or calculations

All the main text is included in the word count, including the research question, analysis, conclusion and evaluation, as well as annotations over 10 words and any footnotes over 15 words.

Breakdown your word count so it is easier for the examiner to see you are within the total word count by putting the word count at the end of each section.

All illustrative material should be numbered and fully integrated into the body of the report. Pages should be numbered and there should be a contents page. References used for background information should follow the standard MLA system

conventions. This includes information from the internet, where references should include titles, URL addresses and dates when sites were visited. All sources of secondary information must be referenced. Footnotes may be used to reference material or an alphabetically organized bibliography at the end of your Internal assessment.

http: //www.easybib.com is a useful resource for creating correctly formatted references. Overall presentation should be neat and well structured. Your full name and candidate number should appear as a header on each page

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FIELDWORK QUESTION

3 marks available (including geographical context)

Suggested word count of 300 out of 2500 maximum (combined with geographical context)

Before starting to collect data you will need to clearly identify your research question (see below) and possible hypothesis. It is advisable to choose one or two detailed hypothesis rather than more hypotheses with limited research possibilities.

The IBO syllabus guide says the following about the fieldwork question.

‘Fieldwork question and geographic context

The fieldwork question (the precise inquiry) guides the fieldwork investigation. It must be narrowly focused, appropriate and stated as a question that can be answered through the collection of primary information in the field. (Where appropriate, students can make a brief preliminary judgment or prediction answering the fieldwork question. This prediction may be formulated as a hypothesis.)

Students must also state the area(s) of the syllabus to which the study relates, whether it is from the topic or development columns within the core, the optional themes or HL extension. It can be drawn from a combination of two or more topics or themes’. (IBO, 2009).

Useful sites: Developing a research question and methodology: http://www.geography-fieldwork.org/coastfieldwork/lowenergy/stage1.htm

http://www.geography-fieldwork.org/coastfieldwork/coastal_management/stage1.htm

http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/Fieldwork+and+local+learning/

Fieldwork+techniques/Coasts.htm

Context and locational information:http://www.np-schiermonnikoog.nl/documents/home.xml?lang=en

http://www.ecomare.nl/index.php?id=4819&L=2

http://www.np-schiermonnikoog.nl/documents/van-toen-tot-nu/ontstaan-

waddengebied.xml?lang=en

http://www.schiermonnikoog.nl/sjablonen/1/portal.asp?objectID=1

Finalize the research question and hypotheses.

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Research question:

Suggestion: Does the human impact to the sand dunes decrease further away from Schiermonnikoog town?

Hypothesis:

CHECKLIST FOR FIELDWORK QUESTION:

MAKE SURE YOU DO THE FOLLOWING…

EXPLAIN WHY THE FIELDWORK WAS CARRIED OUT [ ] STATE YOUR HYPOTHESES (NO MORE THAN 3) [ ] JUSTIFY EACH HYPOTHESIS AND LINK THIS TO GEOGRAPHICAL

THEORY [ ] STATE THE AREA OF THE SYLLABUS TO WHICH YOUR INTERNAL

ASSESSMENT IS RELATED [ ]

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT:

You must comment briefly on the geographical context. Explain where the fieldwork investigation was carried out.A map of the data collection locations used is essential - is it a ‘good locational map’ as the mark scheme requires.Advice on the use of maps:

You must add value to maps you include - just sticking in a photocopied map or a printed map from the internet is of little value unless you have used it as a base map to show other things.

You must acknowledge the source of the map. It needs a title, scale, key/legend and border. Annotate the location of the island Annotate the sites of the data collection sites Include at least two maps of different scales. Ensure that you refer to both maps in your written

text.

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Justification for the hypotheses (theoretical and contextual background):

Research question:

Suggestion: Does the human impact to the sand dunes decrease further away from Schiermonnikoog town?

Hypothesis:

CHECKLIST FOR GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT:

MAKE SURE YOU DO THE FOLLOWING….. DESCRIBE WHERE THE FIELDWORK INVESTIGATION WAS CARRIED OUT[ ] INCLUDE AT LEAST MAPS WITH ADDED VALUE [ ]

METHODS OF INVESTIGATION:

3 marks available

Suggested word count of 300 out of 2500 maximum

You must describe the method(s) used to collect your data while keeping an eye on your word count! You should only describe the methods for the data you are going to use to answer your sub-hypothesis and therefore the fieldwork question. Remember you can use annotated photos/diagrams to help reduce the amount of words.You must justify/evaluate the methods used and the quality of the data collected.

Use the book Fieldwork Techniques and Projects in Geography and try to answer the following questions.

What data do you need for your investigation? How much data do you need for the research to be valid? How are you going to collect this data? Why are you doing it according to this method? Justification for the method

Another reference on sampling techniques - see pages 159-162 of Waugh, David. Geography: an Integrated Approach. Third ed. Walton-on-Thames: Nelson, 2000. Print.You can also use the information provided in this booklet

From the IBO syllabus:

Students must describe the method(s) used to collect information. The description may include sampling techniques, time, location and circumstances of information collection where relevant.

The method(s) used must be justified and must enable a sufficient quality and quantity of primary data to be produced to allow the fieldwork question to be investigated.

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Notes on methods of investigation

Techniques – what you did and how (sampling method?)

Justification. Why did you do this? How does it help to answer the fieldwork question? Test a hypothesis?

Any problems with data collection? Other observations with this method

CHECKLIST FOR METHODOLOGY

MAKE SURE YOU DO THE FOLLOWING …

KEEP AN EYE ON THE WORD COUNT – THE SUGGESTED WORD COUNT FOR THIS SECTION IS 300 WORDS [ ]

JUSTIFY AND EVALUATE EACH OF THE METHODS USED TO COLLECT YOUR DATA [ ]

DISCUSS THE SAMPLING METHOD USED [ ]

DATA PRESENTATION:

15 marks available when combined with the data analysis

Suggested word count of 1350 out of 2500 maximum (combined with data analysis)

The presentation of your data (graphs etc) and the written analysis must be integrated – no random graphs on a single page.

You should treat and display the data collected using the most appropriate techniques.

The most appropriate techniques are

Most effective Well used

The presentation of results could involve processes such as:

Annotated photographs Kite diagrams Located bar graphs or bar graphs Pictograms Scattergraphs Pie charts

A useful site for data presentation techniques is : http://geographyfieldwork.com/DataPresentation.htm

You need to include a statistical test that includes confidence limits. A statistical test that you can use may be the Spearman’s Rank Co-efficient. There are examples of statistical tests in the Course Companion.

CHECKLIST FOR DATA PRESENTATION:

MAKE SURE YOU DO THE FOLLOWING…

USE THE MOST APPROPRIATE METHODS – JUST USING EXCEL TO PRODUCE GRAPHS MAY NOT BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE METHOD! [ ]

USE A VARIETY OF PRESENTATION METHODS [ ] INCLUDE A STATISTICAL TEST [ ] ARE ALL THE AXIS CORRECTLY AND CLEARLY LABELLED? [ ] DOES EVERY FIGURE HAVE A FULL TITLE? [ ] DO YOU REFER TO EVERY FIGURE IN YOUR ANALYSIS? [ ] DOES EVERY FIGURE RELATE TO ONE OF YOUR HYPOTHESES? [ ]

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DATA ANALYSIS:

15 marks available when combined with the data analysis

Suggested word count of 1350 out of 2500 maximum (combined with data analysis)

The presentation of your data (graphs etc) and the written analysis must be integrated.

You must demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the fieldwork investigation by interpreting or explaining the information you have collected.

It is not enough to just describe – you must explain!

You should try to identify and explain anomalies.

Examine each of your sub-hypothesis in turn, using data you have collected and presented to prove or disprove them.

Make sure you put analysis into the local context and show theoretical understanding of the topic.

CHECKLIST FOR DATA ANALYSIS:

MAKE SURE YOU DO THE FOLLOWING … EXPLAIN THE PATTERNS NOT JUST DESCRIBE THEM, USING THEORY TO

SHOW YOUR GEOGRAPHICAL UNDERSTANDING [ ] USE DATA TO DESCRIBE THE PATTERNS [ ] REFER TO EVERY FIGURE [ ] ENSURE YOUR WRITING STYLE IS CLEAR [ ] LINKED YOUR DISCUSSION TO THE FIELDWORK QUESTION AND THE

HYPOTHESES THAT YOU HAVE MADE [ ] ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN ANY ANOMALIES [ ]

CONCLUSION:

2 marks

Suggested word count of 200 out of 2500 maximum, so keep it short.

You should summarize your findings.You should make a clear, concise statement answering the fieldwork question.Make sure you don’t add anything new in your conclusion. If you want to add detail do this in your data analysis.

CHECKLIST FOR CONCLUSION:

MAKE SURE YOU DO THE FOLLOWING … ENSURE YOUR CONCLUSION TO THE FIELDWORK QUESTION IS CONSISTENT

WITH THE OUTCOMES OF YOUR ANLAYSIS [ ] REFER TO EACH OF YOUR HYPOTHESES [ ]

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EVALUATION:

3 marks

Suggested word count of 300 out of 2500 maximum, so keep it short.

You should review the investigative methodologyWhat factors may have affected the validity of the data?You should suggest specific and plausible ways in which the study might have been improved and could be extended in the future.

CHECKLIST FOR EVALUATIONMAKE SURE YOU DO THE FOLLOWING …

YOU HAVE EVALUATED THE DATA COLLECTION METHODS – THIS COULD BE DONE IN THE METHODOLOGY SECTION OF YOUR INTERNAL ASSESSMENT. [ ]

ENSURE ANY RECOMMENDATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS YOU MAKE ARE REALISTIC [ ]

YOU HAVE MADE SUGGESTIONS FOR MODIFYING THE FIELDWORK QUESTION [ ]

BREAK DOWN YOUR WORD COUNT[ ]

NUMBER ALL THE PAGES & THERE’S A CONTENTS PAGE [ ] YOU HAVE A FRONT COVER WHICH INCLUDES YOUR NAME, YOUR LEVEL

OF STUDY, YOUR IB NUMBER AND THE TOTAL WORD COUNT [ ] ANY APPENDICES SHOULD ONLY INCLUDE EXAMPLES OF MATERIALS THAT

HAVE BEEN USED OR ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF MATERIAL USED. [ ]

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

Check the useful websites mentioned under the section Geographical context.

Schiermonnikoog is one of the barrier islands in the Northern part of the Netherlands:

Fig 1: The Wadden islands

Source: http://www.ecomare.nl/ecomare-encyclopedie/gebieden/waddengebied/nederlands-waddengebied/

Shifting island:Schiermonnikoog forms part of the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. The Wadden Sea separates it from the mainland. The West Frisian Islands region is very dynamic. Islands have been formed in the Wadden Sea at various times in history, often only to disappear again. In any case, the island of Schiermonnikoog has existed for more than 1000 years. However, the shape and size of the island have changed dramatically in the course of time. The oldest parts of the present island are only around 800 years old. The islands are barrier islands (see appendix: Barrier island formation). ‘The island has shifted around three kilometres eastward since 1500. The former island Bosch now lies buried under the east tip of the island.’ (http://www.ecomare.nl/index.php?id=4819&L=2

An useful animation of the changes overtime can be found on the following website: http://www.np-schiermonnikoog.nl/documents/van-toen-tot-nu/ontstaan-waddengebied.xml?lang=en

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Fig 2 Schiermonnikoog in 1773, source: http://www.schierweb.nl/2geschiedenis.htm

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Coastal Management strategies:

Schiermonnikoog is a National Park and therefore the coastal management is one of finding a balance between human activity and protecting the natural ecosystem.

The following information comes from the National Parks website:

ManagementIn the national park, an attempt is made to let nature take its course as much as possible. However, since we also want to preserve the rare plants and animals, the park administrator is occasionally faced with difficult choices.   Dunes management:  The dunes threaten to become overgrown with birch and creeping willow. This causes rare and vulnerable plants to disappear. To counter this, the Nature Conservation Society takes a variety of active measures:

Mowing sod cutting (cutting off the entire top layer of the soil)grazing by sheep and horses, and by cows on the salt marsh

source: http://www.np-schiermonnikoog.nl/documents/beheer.xml?lang=en

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Fig 3 Schiermonnikoog in 2009, source: http://www.schierweb.nl/2geschiedenis.htm

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Summary:

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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

CRITERION A: FIELDWORK QUESTION AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT: THIS CRITERION ASSESSES THE FOCUS AND GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT OF THE FIELDWORK AND WHETHER THE FIELDWORK QUESTION IS RELATED TO THE MATERIAL IN THE SYLLABUSLEVEL DESCRIPTOR

MA

RK

S

MARKS AWARDED

REASONING

The work does not reach the standard described by the descriptors below.

0

The fieldwork question is inappropriate, or the geographic context or locational map or relationship to the syllabus is missing.

1

The fieldwork question is adequate with an acceptable attempt made to place it in its geographic context and relate it to the syllabus. A locational map is presented.

2

The fieldwork question is well focused with a detailed, accurate explanation of the geographic context and is related to the syllabus. A good locational map is presented.

3

CRITERION B: METHOD(S) OF INVESTIGATION: THIS CRITERION ASSESS THE DECRIPTION, JUSTIFICATION AND APPROPRIATENESS OF THE METHOD(S) USED TO INVESTIGATE THE FIELDWORK QUESTIONThe work does not reach the standard described by the descriptors below

0

There is only a brief description of the method (s) used for information collection, and the method(s) are generally inappropriate for the investigation of the fieldwork question.

1

There is an adequate description but limited justification of the

2

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method(s) used for information collection. The method(s) used are generally appropriate for the investigation of the fieldwork question.There is a clear description and justification of the method(s) used for information collection. The method(s) used are well suited to the investigation of the fieldwork question.

3

CRITERION C: QUALITY AND TREATMENT OF INFORMATION COLLECTED – THIS CRITERION ASSESSES THE QUALITY OF INFORMATION COLLECTED AND ITS SUITABILITY FOR ANALYSIS IN CRITERION D, AND WHETHER APPROPRIATE TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN USED FOR BOTH THE TREATMENT AND DISPLAY OF INFORMATIONThe work does not reach the standard described by the descriptors below.

0

Limited or inappropriate information has been collected and very little attempt has been made to treat or display the information collected.

1

Some relevant information has been collected and some attempt has been made to treat or display the information collected.

2

The information collected is generally relevant to the fieldwork question and allows for some analysis. Limited techniques have been used for both the treatment and display of information collected.

3

The information collected is generally relevant to the fieldwork question and is sufficient in quantity and quality to allow for analysis. Appropriate techniques have been used for both the treatment and display of information collected.

4

The information collected is directly relevant to the fieldwork question and is sufficient in quantity and quality to allow for in-depth analysis. The most

5

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appropriate techniques have been used effectively for both the treatment and display of information collected.

CRITERION D: WRITTEN ANALYSIS – THIS CRITERIA ASSESSES THE QUALITY OF THE ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS, REFERRING TO THE FIELDWORK QUESTION, GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT, INFORMATION COLLECTED AND ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIALThe work does not reach the standard described by the descriptors below.

0

The report reveals very limited knowledge and understanding. The approach is descriptive with little or no attempt at analysis.

1 – 2

The report reveals some knowledge and understanding. There is an attempt at analysis, which may be incomplete or superficial, making little or no reference to the fieldwork question, geographic context, information collected and illustrative material.

3 – 4

The report reveals an adequate level of knowledge and understanding. There is an adequate level of analysis, which generally refers to the fieldwork question, geographic context, information collected and illustrative material.

5 – 6

The report reveals a good level of knowledge and understanding. There is a well-reasoned, detailed analysis of the results with references to the fieldwork question, geographic context, information collected and illustrative material. There is an attempt to explain any anomalies in results.

7 - 8

The report reveals a very good level of knowledge and understanding. There is a clear and well-reasoned, detailed analysis of the results with strong references to the fieldwork

9- 10

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question, geographic context, information collected and illustrative material. The attempt to explain any anomalies in results is good.

CRITERION E: CONCLUSION – THIS CRITERION ASSESSES THE ABILITY OF THE STUDENT TO SUMMARIZE THE FINDINGS OF THE FIELDWORK INVESTIGATIONThe work does not reach the standard described by the descriptors below.

0

There is some attempt to draw a conclusion to the fieldwork question, which may not be completely consistent with the analysis.

1

There is a clear conclusion to the fieldwork question, consistent with the analysis.

2

CRITERION F: EVALUATION – THIS CRITERION ASSESSES THE STUDENT´S ABILITY TO REVIEW THE INVESTIGATIVE METHODOLOGYThe work does not reach the standard described by the descriptors below.

0

There is either some attempt to evaluate methods of collecting fieldwork information or some suggestion is made for improvement or extension.

1

Methods of collecting fieldwork information have been evaluated or there are valid recommendations for improvements or extensions.

2

Methods of collecting fieldwork information have been evaluated clearly. There are valid and realistic recommendations for improvements or extensions. There may be some suggestions for modifying the fieldwork question.

3

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CRITERION G: This criterion assesses the extent to which the student meets the five formal requirements of writing, organizing and presenting the written report.The work is within the 2,500 word limit.Overall presentation is neat and well structured.Pages are numbered.References used for background information follow standard conventions.All illustrative material is numbered, is fully integrated into the body of the report and is not relegated to an appendix.The work exceeds the 2,500 word limit or meets none of the other formal requirements.

0

The work is within the 2,500 word limit and meets one of the other formal requirements.

1

The work is within the 2,500 word limit and meets two of the other formal requirements.

2

The work is within the 2,500 word limit and meets three of the other formal requirements.

3

The work is within the 2,500 word limit and meets the other four formal requirements.

4

FIRST DRAFT MARK

APPROX. LEVEL

KEY POINTS OF FEEDBACK

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