Advanced Higher Geography

The Folio

Part 1: Geographical Study

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Choosing your topic

Remember, you are going to have to do the fieldwork so try to choose a topic that is challenging but at the same time – manageable.

You are going to have to revisit sites several times – one day of fieldwork is not enough.

Topics can be either physical or human – try to choose something you are interested in.

So:

1. Look at topic list (this is not exhaustive)

2. Think about what is in your local area

3. Come up with a question you are going to try and answer (this will be your study title)

The table below offers some points to consider.

Constraint EffectTravel Be realistic. It is much easier to collect data from sites close to where you live.

You can always go back if you need to collect more data. This is particularly important for questionnaire surveys - what if it's raining heavily on the one day

that you visit?

Access to sites If you have don't have access to your own transport, then avoid fieldwork in remote places. Rural investigations should be restricted to a small number of

easy-to-reach sites. For some investigations you will need to seek permission to enter sites.

Personal safety This must be considered for all sites.

Interests Fieldwork shouldn't be a chore - and the best way to stop this from happening is to choose a title that you find interesting.

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How to get from an idea to an investigation:

Avoiding Common Project Pitfalls!

1. PLAN!! Forward planning saves time and stress (both for you and your teacher)2. Make sure shared equipment will be available when you need it3. Conduct a pilot survey and a risk assessment 4. Maintain an appropriate balance between primary and secondary data

Time Management

Although you will have months in which to complete your investigation you MUST plan your time effectively. The best Geographical Investigations will include at least 2 days of fieldwork. Use the Action Plan below to help you stay on target. Although the investigation isn’t submitted officially until April, you should try and get as much done early in the year while you are motivated and have a lower workload.

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Stage Activity Time Required Completion (e.g. Early November)

1 Choose area of study

2 Aim and research questions

3 Fieldwork plan

You should submit what you have completed so far to your teacher.

4 Secondary research

5 Conduct fieldwork

6 Write introduction

7 Process fieldwork / secondary data

8 Discuss / analyse results

9 Write conclusion

You should now submit your first draft.

10 Redraft

You should now submit your second draft.

11 Title page, contents, bibliography

Submit your FINAL DRAFT

For possible topics of study see Appendix One on page 15.

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Important points to Remember

By this stage you should have now decided what you are going to investigate for your geographical study. Before you start your write up, here are some important points to remember.

1. The word limit for your study is 3000 words. This does not include the front cover and any appendixes you might want to include. Bibliography is not included in the page count.

2. Deadlines. The bulk of your fieldwork must be completed by the end of November. The first draft of your study will be due in just after the Christmas holidays. The final draft of your study is due before the Spring Break. However, you are encouraged to submit more than one draft before April.

Conducting Your Fieldwork

Actions to take before and during your fieldwork:

notify the school of your intentions

seek permission where access to private land is required

take a First Aid kit and any medications you require e.g. inhalers/insulin

avoid dangerous areas e.g. cliffs/heavy traffic/tidal traps on coasts/rivers in flood

leave a note of where you are going and what time you intend to return

take a mobile phone

behave responsibly

be courteous and mannerly in any approach to the public

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Assessment

Your study should be no more than 3000 words and is worth 60 marks – don’t panic, this is broken up into

different sections.

Mark allocation is as follows:

A. Justify the choice of a complex geographic topic to research 4 marks

B. Plan and carry out detailed research, which could include fieldwork 10 marks

C. Evaluate the research techniques and the reliability of data gathered 8 marks

D. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the topic being studied from wider reading 8 marks

E. Use a wide range of appropriate techniques to process the gathered information 10 marks

F. Analyse all the information gathered and processed to identify and explain relationships 12 marks

G. Reach reasoned conclusions supported by a wide range of evidence 8 marks

How the Study is Assessed

The tables below give you some indication of what to include to achieve a high mark.

Section Available Marks

Include…

Justify the choice of a complex geographic topic to research

4 Your justification includes at least one developed point about both of the following:1. the purpose of researching the topic2. the relevance of the topic in the context of the subject/why the

topic is worth learning about

Developed points will include providing, for example: additional detail examples evidence explicit reference to relevant geographical literature/wide

ranging research related to the topic an explanation of the potential for:

- detailed analysis/evaluation- the processing of geographical data/information

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Plan and carry out detailed research, which could include fieldwork

10 There is clear evidence of highly detailed planning for research that allows the generation of at least four research questions or sub-questions, supported by three relevant sources of information.

The research techniques are appropriate and have been used with an evident high degree of skill to gather data which will allow the research questions to be explained in detail or hypotheses to be skilfully tested.

Evaluate the research techniques and the reliability of data gathered

8 You can make reasoned evaluative comments by stating: the relevance/importance/reliability of gathered data the positive and negative aspects of techniques used the strengths and weaknesses of techniques used the significance/impact of data gathered analysis of next steps.

Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the topic being studied from wider reading

8 Ensure your evidence is: relevant to the topic being studied developed (by including additional detail, exemplification,

reasons or evidence related to the topic being studied) used to support the findings from research relevant to the

topic being studied

You should: provide evidence from relevant wider reading which you use

to support the findings from research.And

Integrate the knowledge and understanding of this evidence as further support to your line of argument.

or Uses the knowledge and understanding as evidence, to

provide further in-depth evaluation/analysis.Use a wide range of appropriate techniques to process the gathered information

10 Include a range of different processing techniques (at least 3), relevant to the topic being studied

Integrate the techniques and products with a high level of skill to support your research

Explain how this has been achieved and suggest potential improvements of adjustments that could be made

Analyse all the information that has been gathered and processed to identify and explain relationships

12 Analysis involves identifying relevant data to identify and explain links/relationships. For Example:

links/relationships between the different data sets that have been gathered and processed

links/relationships between the different data sets and the wider context of the study

links/relationships between the data sets, the wider context and related theories

similarities or contradictions between the data sets and related theories

possible consequences/implications of similarities or contradiction between data sets analysed and related theories

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Try to make a minimum of four detailed analytical comments which include detailed evidence of a wider knowledge and understanding of the topic being studied.

Include: Integration of possible consequences/implications of

similarities or contradictions between data sets analysed and related theories

and Integration of others’ ideas/arguments/evidence with your

own

Reach reasoned conclusion(s) supported by a wide range of evidence

8 Try to link relevant analytical points supported by information or evidence into a developed conclusion on the topic studied.

The conclusion(s) follows from an examination of all the gathered and processed information/research evidence.

Conclusion(s) should be: supported by organizing and linking ideas based on all the information or evidence

Research

Before you start writing your study you need to become an expert in the topic. This involves conducting in

depth geographical research. You need to make sure that the sources you are using are academic and

robust (this is NOT the time to use Wikipedia!!).

Where to look for information:

Department library

School library (the librarian will be able to access journal articles online…talk to them!)

University libraries

Mitchell library

Useful websites:

Google scholar

Google maps GIS

Google books

Digimaps

UK Census

Neighbourhood Statistics

And Finally…

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The following are the final tasks to undertake….DO NOT spend hours on this! The ‘Title Page’ needs a ‘title’, relevant picture, your name, candidate number, school’s name and centre number. That’s all! But do it neatly.

‘Contents’ page: list the Contents by section or chapter with page number given also add ‘Acknowledgements’ below the Contents.

For example:

A ‘Bibliography’: full list of sources (books/journals/websites/maps) used inserted at the end of the written text. Use the ‘Harvard system’:

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Contents

Page no.

Introduction 1

Methodology 3

The ‘River System’ 5

,, ,,

,, ,,

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank . . .

‘Sediment changes in an Upland Stream’

Name : Dave the Duck Smartypants Academy

Cand. no : 00091346 Centre no. ; 532147

e.g.

APPENDIX ONE

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Bibliography

Allen J.R.L. (1985) : Principles of Physical Sedimentology : Allen & Unwin

Benn D.I. & Evans D.J.A. (1998) : Glaciers & Glaciation : Edward Arnold

Glen J.W. et al. (1957) : On the mechanism by which stones in till become orientated : American Journal of Science, vol.255 p.194-205

Rosshire Journal (2006) : Floods hit Dingwall : 26th Oct. 2006

Websites

www.SEPA.org.uk/pdf/rainfalldata/26thOct Accessed on 30/10/12

Possible Topics to Investigate

Environmental

An evaluation of the various environmental / social and economic changes resulting from a major construction at site Z.

What is the pattern of atmospheric pollution around an industrial operation at site X. How vulnerable is the green belt around conurbation Z? Are the pressures at conservation site X effectively managed? What are the impacts of the landfill at site Z?

Transport

An investigation into the effectiveness of traffic calming measures in town Z. An investigation into the environmental and economic impacts of a new road scheme in town X.

Physical Topics

An analysis of stream channel characteristics in river X to discover how they vary downstream What factors influence the flow velocities in River X? How does bedload vary from source to mouth? A comparative study of meandering and straight sections of river An evaluation of the river corridor and channel management in a short stretch of river X An investigation into the impacts of coastal protection schemes along coastline Z What factors influence variation in vegetation patterns across a transect A study of microclimate variations within a small wood compared with open fields. How do built up areas affect microclimates How strong is the influence of altitude on the microclimate of hill X? An investigation into the reliability and variability of regional weather forecasts through

comparisons with local primary data in area X. How and why do soil characteristics vary down slope S? A comparative study of garden and woodland soils in area X. An analysis of slope variation across a stretch of River Y. A survey of the distribution and orientation of glacial features in area G

Amenity Topics

A survey of the impact of tourism and recreation on Z Local authority landfill sites tend to have a negative impact on the zone around them A comparison of shopping centres X and Y

Urban Topics

A study of the distribution of vandalism and crime within town X. An investigation of the factors which have led to the growth of town X, and the degree with which

this conforms to established urban models A study of the perception and reality of crime within town X. An evaluation of the various initiatives in selected inner city areas. A study of environmental quality across an urban transect An investigation into the apparent ‘health’ of town X What is the nature and extent of urban pollution in town x Should proposed development Y be allowed to go ahead at site X? What evidence exists for globalisation within town X

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A comparison of housing areas within town X

This is NOT a prescribed list – feel free to choose your own topic!!

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