SPS igcse fieldwork opportunities

SPS Geography Department
iGCSE Fieldwork Opportunities Handbook

Name…………………………………………………………

iGCSE Fieldwork Opportunities Handbook Page 1

1. The Enquiry Process

Fieldwork enquiries should follow the same format & hence questions will focus on parts of the list

a. Planning & data collection
i. Choose the SUBJECT & Choose the LOCATION
ii. Identify a HYPOTHESIS to test
iii. Decide on the DATA REQUIRED
iv. Choose a DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE
v. RISK ASSESSMENT
vi. Develop a STRATEGY TO GATHER THE DATA
vii. SAMPLING (see Appendix A)
viii. METHOD(S) OF GATHERING DATA
ix. PILOTING
x. DATA GATHERING
xi. Identify potential SECONDARY DATA SOURCE – if relevant
b. Presentation & Analysis
i. PRESENT THE DATA
ii. ANALYSE THE DATA
iii. Draw CONCLUSIONS – relating to the initial HYPOTHESIS
c. Limitations & Evaluation
i. Assess the LIMITATIONS of the process and suggest IDEAS FOR IMPROVING
THE ENQUIRY.

2. The iGCSE fieldwork opportunities by subject area

Unit Subsection Fieldwork Opportunities
 Views on Hazards.
Hazardous Environments
 Gathering weather data.
A
 Beach Morphology & Beach Sediments.
Coastal Environments
 Views on Coastal Management.
 Land Use survey.
Urban Environments
 Environmental Quality Survey.
B  Reasons for the location of factories or services.
Economic activity & Energy  Investigating peoples' views on the use of renewable
and non-renewable energy.

3. The iGCSE exam and Fieldwork Opportunities

Unit Mode of examination Marks (/30)
A a. Planning & Data Collection focus only. 6
a.b.c. The whole enquiry process; planning, data collection, data
presentation, analysis, conclusions and evaluation.
B&C 8
BUT
Candidates do not need to refer to the data they gathered –


A Hazardous Environments Views on Hazards.
Similar to other questionnaire fieldwork. Focus on questionnaire design and
Skills
use e.g. number of questions; question wording; sampling.
Aim Surveying peoples' views on the management of a hazard event
Location Virtual fieldwork that could be used in a place that had experienced a natural
hazard event or was threatened by one. e.g. Montserrat
Question or
Do people believe that the management of the natural hazards was effective
Hypothesis
Data Three main techniques (see Appendix D):
Collection 1. Questionnaires; Focus on a particular hazard e.g. hurricane and what form
Technique effective management might take e.g. warnings; shelters.
• How many questions are you to write e.g. five? Short, focused
questionnaires based on clear aims are more successful.
• Draft sharp, unambiguous questions which are easy to answer and the
answer easily recordable e.g. will the storm wave protection barrier harm
seabird habitats? Yes / No / Don’t Know.
• Opinions or attitudes can be explored by either asking which of a range of
possible opinions most closely matches their own (e.g. are safety measures
practiced and checked: regularly? occasionally? never?) or making a definitive
statement and seeing how far people agree or disagree with it (e.g. the new
emergency shelters are badly located --‐ Strongly agree/Agree/Don’t
know/Disagree/Strongly disagree).
• Put a short list of distinctive questions together and run a pilot study with
fellow students, parents etc. Use the piloting to revise questions before
writing up and running off copies of your final questionnaire.
• Think about practicalities, fieldwork methods. How are you going to use
your questionnaire?
• Decide on your sampling strategy (see Appendix A) i.e. random, systematic
or stratified. If stratified, what type of person are you looking to interview e.g.
old? female? professional? A cross--‐section of society?
• Decide on your sample size e.g. fifteen? twenty? The bigger the better whilst
at the same time being practical.
• Decide where people will be interviewed e.g. stopped in the street?
knocking on doors? posted for later collection?
 Recording of data; a structured sheet allowing tally counts and text to be
recorded; useful to keep the responses of each person together to be able
to draw correlations.
• Finally, address other safety and risk assessment issues (see Appendix B)
e.g. ID cards; working in pairs.
2. Focus Groups – consider;
Sampling strategy, Questions, Method of recording
3. Interviews – consider
Who? Questions to be asked – link to any initial responses or trends
from the questionnaires. Method of recording – video, notes, audio?
Risk
ID cards, groups, mobile phones, public spaces (see Appendix B)
Assessment
Potential 1. Describe a survey of the peoples’ views on the management of a hazard
questions event. (6)


A Hazardous Environments Gathering weather data.
Skills You must be able to use/appreciate how basic meteorological instruments work
(i.e. max-min thermometer in Stevenson Screen; rain gauge; anemometer; wind
vane etc) in standardised conditions to collect data, and how readings can be
recorded.
Aim To gather weather data from the local area
Location SPS
Hypothesis There are differences in the climates around the site of SPS
Data Collection Stevenson Screen
Technique It forms part of a standard weather station.
An enclosure to shield meteorological instruments against precipitation and direct
heat radiation from outside sources, while still allowing air to circulate freely
around them.
1. Standard rain gauges (UK Met Office)
 Used for measuring depth of precipitation
 Units = mm (1 mm = 1 litre m-2 across the drainage basin)
 Set in open ground
 Rim proud of the ground ≥30 cm
 Calibration may be used – where standard requirements are not fully met
 Funnelled aperture of 15-17 cm water transferred to measuring cylinder for
reading depth of precipitation.
Negatives – not a continuous record
Alternative - Autographic gauge
 Tipping-bucket type.
 Rotating drum records daily profile of precipitation
 Buckets (0.2mm or 0.5mm) catch water. Number of “tips” recorded
 Both can feed to digital recorders
2. Anemometer
 Use a standard anemometer with cups to catch the wind and a counter to
record the number of rotations
 Use the standardised calibration for the anemometer;
o Hold the anemometer at arm’s length and shoulder height
o Count the number of revolution in one minute
o Plot your recording on the calibration graph and read off the
windspeed (both in kmh-1- and the Beaufort Scale)
Negatives – may give a reading of local wind gusts, in high winds the anemometer
may not be accurate
Alternative – utilise a standard automated weather station.

Risk Assessment Identification of potential risks and development of mitigation strategy to reduce
the probability of the event occurring, e.g. injury from flying debris – stand clear of
trees or loose fitting tiles catching cold! – ensure appropriate clothing is worn (see
Appendix B)
Potential
1. Describe how you would collect and record wind speed and precipitation data.
questions


A Coastal Environments Beach Morphology & Beach Sediments.
For a shoreline-to-cliff foot/sea-wall transect you need to be familiar with
Skills needed equipment and procedures to measure; length, height and slope of beach plus
size/shape of material along transect.
Aim “Groynes have no impact on beach profile or beach material”
Location Shoreham on Sea – selected as there are beach protection measures along the
easily accessible coastline that when sampled and surveyed might reveal the
impact on the beach profile and sediment distribution that the groynes have
had.
Hypothesis Groynes have a direct impact on beach profile and sediment distribution
Data 1. A field sketch to show the profile of the beach – you should try in 3
Collection dimensions. If you have the capacity then take some photos or video too.
Technique – This helped in deciding the location of the sample of profiles to survey
Beach profile surveying method
2. Select sampling points (using stratified sampling to ensure sites either
side of groynes were used) for beach profiles across the width of the
beach.
3. At each sample point in turn, place a ranging pole at the start and finish
(see Appendix E). Point A should ideally be the low tide mark, or as close
to this as is safe.
4. Note the main changes in slope angle up the beach, and use them to
inform the ‘sections' for the profile.
5. For each change in slope, use the clinometer to take a bearing to record
the slope angle (ii). For example, from point A to point B in the diagram
below. It is important to ensure that the bearing is taken from a point on
the ranging pole that coincides with the eye level of the person using the
clinometer. Many ranging poles have stripes which can be used for this
purpose. Alternatively, bearings can be taken from the eye level of a
person of a similar height holding the ranging pole.
6. Measure the distance along the ground of the section and record this
information alongside the slope angle.
7. Repeat processes (4) and (5) for each break in slope that you have
identified
Limitations
Low tide is the best time to measure beach profiles, but places a time
constraint on the activity. This can be overcome if groups of students complete
profiles at different locations simultaneously and share their results.
It is important to ensure that the ranging poles are held straight and prevented
from sinking into sand, both of which may affect angle readings.
Sampling technique is an important consideration. A balance needs to be
struck between time available and the need for a number of profiles across the
width of the beach to ensure the validity of results.
There may be some user error when taking readings with a clinometer, and
the sophistication of models of clinometer can vary enormously.


Alternative method - Pantometers can be used by one person, and the
slope can be surveyed systematically at regular, short intervals
Beach sediment survey
Equipment
Clear ruler, pebble meter or stone-board, Roundness or angularity charts /
indexes, Recording sheet, Quadrats (optional), Random number table
(optional)
Methodology
At each sampling point
1. Reach down with the index finger extended and select the first pebble it
touches.
2. Measure the length of the longest axis on this pebble.
3. Repeat this process, perhaps 10 times per location or as you decide after
your piloting
4. Analyse your findings using a roundness index or chart.

Power’s scale (see Appendix E) can be used to classify the roundness of the
sediments
Alternative method - Quadrats can be used to select sediment for sampling.
Alternatively, ten surface pebbles touching your foot can be selected at each
location.
Considerations and possible limitations
Consideration needs to be given to the size of the sample and the method
used to select pebbles in order to avoid bias.
The use of visual charts such as Power's can be subjective.
Deciding on the sampling strategy is very important in reducing subjectivity
and increasing the validity of results. A sampling method should always be
adopted to avoid the temptation to ‘select' the pebbles! Random requires a
“3rd party” selector – a coin or dice for example,
Systematic requires a regular interval “Every third pebble”, Stratified requires
a deliberate selection – say for example from one side or another
Sample size should be large enough to provide a representative sample
In reality, using Power's scale will reveal mostly class 5 / 6.
Anything which may affect the results should be noted, e.g. recent storms or
management structures which may alter the composition of beach material.
Risk Varying tidal conditions can affect access and safety - check tide times
Assessment before you embark on your fieldwork.
Distances between surveys and the noise of the sea may make
communication impossible – establish a lifeguard
1. Describe how a fieldwork investigation of a beach profile was planned.
2. Describe how a fieldwork investigation into beach sediments was carried
Potential
out.
questions
3. Draw a sketch map of the site of a field investigation into beach
sediments


A Coastal Environments Views on Coastal Management.
Skills You need to be able to design and use (i.e. sampling) a questionnaire to get views
on how a pressured (from either erosion or conflicting uses use) coastline is
managed.
Aim Surveying peoples’ views on the management of the coast at Shoreham (&
Lancing).
Location Shoreham on Sea – a small coastal village with mixed residential and commercial
functions that have a clear “Shoreham Harbour Regeneration Project” that aims to
protect this pressured coastline.
Hypothesis The people of Shoreham on Sea will be in favour of the local beach protection
measures
Data 1. Questionnaire – see earlier sections on this method of gathering date.
Collection Method used:
Technique 2. In pairs you will need to conduct the questionnaire with as many people as
possible in the period of time designated to you.
3. Please make sure that you keep safe and contactable at all times.
4. Limitations - DO NOT JOIN UP INTO A LARGER GROUP – THIS IS INTIMIDATING
TO OTHERS AND THEREFORE VERY UNFAIR ON THE LOCAL PEOPLE – who after
all you are wanting to get information from.

Risk
Interpersonal risk – work in pairs, regular meeting up with group leader
Assessment
Potential 1. How would you plan a survey of peoples’ views on the management of a coastline
questions threatened by either development or erosion? (6)


B Urban Environments Land Use survey.
Skills Be able to explain how you set up a urban land use survey to include ideas of
how you sample an area and the classifications to be used
Aim To investigate the land use pattern of an urban area
Location Reading – the scale and symmetry of the town provide a suitable scale of
settlement to be able to identify land use patterns in the time available
Hypothesis Reading’s land use pattern conforms to that of urban models
Data Equipment
Collection
Technique
1. Base maps of study locations
2. RICE POTS - appropriate land-use classification key (Appendix C)
3. Pencils and clipboard
4. Note-pad or record sheets
5. Digital camera/mobile phone camera with geotagging

Methodology

 Selection of transects – major routeways provide good access into the
centre of Reading – allowing the area to be surveyed by nearly
equidistant belt transects radiating from the CBD outwards. –
STRATIFIED SAMPLING to ensure the whole study area was covered.
 Use RICE POTS land use classification key (Appendix C), it should allow
you to easily classify each individual building you encounter on your
transect. You may decide to use a GOAD map of the area as your base
map.
 Land use classification - Use a standardised classification system for all
groups e.g. RICE POTS. (see Appendix C). Each group assigned a
different transect recorded land use according to the same
classification every 30 metres from a drop off on the outskirts of their
transect
 Transect data was recorded on fieldwork paper and then converted
onto Excel spreadsheets to give distance v. land use for ground floor
usage
 Mapping – the data can also be plotted onto base maps – both in the
field and then in neat form using groupings and colour once out of the
field. In addition you can use a GIS package to create land use maps
using AEGIS on a computer. Alternatively, you can complete your maps
by hand.

Risk All work in urban areas has multiple risks that can be easily identified, from the
Assessment basic “trip hazard” to potential traffic accidents. In all cases these need to be
identified and a simple mitigation strategy adopted. An essential modern
element to the mitigation would be regular check ins with a teacher in charge
at either pre-arranged places or at pre-arranged times by phone if necessary.
Presentation Mapping of land use using GIS; AEGIS is a specialist package but even Google
method Earth allows data to be placed over the location using “layers”. In addition it is


possible to use bar charts and scatter graphs to see trends in distance out from
the CBD and land use.
Conclusions Using Google Earth it was possible to see a pattern that could be in some way
like Burgess or Hoyt’s model
Limitations Considerations and possible limitations
 Mapping large areas can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, so
group work is a good idea!
 A suitable sampling strategy should be devised to reduce bias in your land
use survey.
 Obtaining site maps, especially historical ones, can be difficult. There is a
cost involved in obtaining GOAD maps of your area.
 Care and thought should go into developing an appropriate land-use
classification key to make data collection easier and less subjective.
However, a degree of subjectivity is inevitable when determining land use
classifications, and errors can sometimes be made in judging the age and
style of the buildings
 The technique only covers ground floor use and in many cases outside the
CBD this may give a false overall impression of the location of different
functions in the settlement.
Ideas for More transects, include other levels and their land uses, take straight
improvement line transects rather than sticking to the easier major roads.
Potential 1. Describe how a fieldwork investigation of land use across an urban area
questions could be planned.

B Urban Environments Environmental Quality Survey.
Skills You must be able to describe how the EQS was constructed and implemented
in the study; including sampling and transects. Understand the follow-up data
presentation, analysis/concluding and overall evaluation.
Aim To investigate any apparent patterns in Environmental Quality within the urban
area and to detect any correlations with land use.
Location The same transects of Reading were used ( see the Land Use method for details
of sampling and limitations)
Hypothesis Environmental Quality will deteriorate with closeness to CBD
Data  At 30 metre intervals (SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING) along the transect an EQS
Collection was carried out (see Appendix H).
Technique  A coin was tossed to decide which side of the transect would be surveyed
(RANDOM SAMPLING)
 The same member of the group conducted all EQS
 The EQS had been piloted in class prior to going out into the field – this
allowed for the recorders to have some standardisation between them as
all transect data would ultimately be presented together
Limitations and developments
 Though piloting had been carried out, there was still a chance of
divergence in this essentially subjective approach, however by piloting
this may have been minimised
 Roads provide barriers to assessing the urban environments - this can
now be overcome by using StreetVIew on Google Maps – a valuable


secondary source of data.
Risk
As per the Land Use techniques
Assessment
Presentation 1. Mapping – base maps used to add data using proportional symbols or
method choroplething.
2. GIS - with Google Earth, exact locations of EQSs could be plotted and with
balloons the data could be presented from congruent EXCEL graphs
allowing patterns in EQ across the surveyed area to be seen.
3. Graphing – distance against EQ could be readily graphed to allow patterns
to be seen – all transect data being presented on one graph to show if
trends or hotspots in the study area could be seen.
Conclusions No clear pattern emerged
Limitations The EQS only had a limited range of criteria – no graffit or litter compents that
would have been easy to score and would not have added much to the time
taken for each survey
Ideas for  Add more criteria to the EQS
improvement  Conduct more EQSs
 Make greater use of imagery taken in the field to improve standardisation
 Utilise Secondary sources of images to “fill in the gaps” along each transect
– problem of historical data being mixed with contemporary though.
Potential 1. Describe how a fieldwork investigation of environmental quality across an
questions urban area could be planned.
2. Fig 1a shows land use and EQS data collected at seven sites along a transect
between the CBD and the edge of a UK town (Reading).
(i) Use Fig 1a, to complete the scatter graph (Fig. 1b), to show
how environmental quality changed along the transect.
(ii) What conclusions can be drawn about the relationship
between environmental quality and land use?


Figure 1a

Figure 1b


Reasons for the location of factories or
B Economic activity & Energy
services.
Skills Can be individual factory / service or an area (e.g. business park, shopping
mall) or a service location within a town/city. Mapwork, location visit,
secondary sources may be involved plus analysis/conclusions.
Aim To assess the individual decisions made by businesses in their choosing of
locations and to detect any common decision making factors for similar
businesses in a business park.
Location Business parks around the periphery of Reading – Green Park in the south, the
Thames Valley business park closer to the centre.
Hypothesis Business locating in the same business park will have evaluated the location
factors in a similar way to come to their decision for location
Data Interviewing those making location decisions should reveal the factors they
Collection considered and perhaps how important each of the factors was. This applies
Technique to both manufacturers making factory location decisions, and to businesses
and government, perhaps local government such as councils when deciding on
where to locate public services such as libraries and hospitals, or private
services such as supermarkets and leisure clubs. Successful interviewing to
find out these reasons may require the structure that a well--‐planned
questionnaire provides. One way of doing this is to list a range of reasons
behind location choice and ask those you are interviewing to either tick those
that applied to them and/or to place them in order of importance.
The reasons to include in your questionnaire might be:
•close to markets
• suitable transport facilities
• access to other factories/services
• assistance or encouragement by local groups
• suitable buildings and site
• reasonable local operating costs
• proximity to raw materials
• personal reasons
The reasons will obviously vary according to whether you are investigating
factory or services locations. You might also ask the interviewee to give an
example of reasons that they thought important e.g. personal reasons might
mean their home town or a popular golf course; suitable site might mean
ample room for parking and expansion, especially if you are investigating a
service.
Government financial incentives might be important to factories locating in an
area from outside, especially foreign transnational corporations.
One useful way forward is to survey a number of companies on an industrial
estate or business park so that you have a good range of results. This makes
data presentation and analysis more meaningful. The basic geography of the
area around the factory(s) or service(s) should be carefully mapped e.g.
population, road network, land availability etc. Where questionnaire surveys
are not appropriate e.g. the location of doctors’ surgeries in a town, this
mapping and your interpretation of the likely locational reasons may be
sufficient. Factories and services do tend to cluster, so the reasons can be
teased out. Services usually cluster in town and city centres and in HICs on the
urban fringes. Your investigation should include an analysis and conclusion


about the relevant locational reasons.
Finally, be aware that you can evaluate the accuracy and relevance of both the
raw information you have used and the conclusions you have come to. It is a
good idea to do this.
Risk All interviews carry risks that are readily overcome – mitigation of any
Assessment potential inter-personal issues by using pairs in each interview
Presentation
Flowlines, bar charts, mapping of factors (see Appendix I for a worked example)
method
Conclusions Depend on data given in questions but look for trends and anomalies together
with any correlations. Link where possible to the type of activity being
analysed
Limitations Gaining the accurate information from the businesses or industries concerned.
Ideas for Develop a method scoring the various location variables so that a more
improvement quantitative analysis can be done.
Potential 1. Study Figure X which shows the results of a fieldwork investigation on a
questions business park.
(i) Use the data to complete the missing bars in Y. (2 marks)
(ii) What conclusions can be drawn from Figures X & Y
(iii) Suggest how this investigation might be evaluated and
improved . (6 marks)
2. Fig. 2a shows the total scores given by five factories during a fieldwork
investigation into the importance of various location factors.
(i) Use Fig. 2a to complete Fig. 2b.
(ii) Suggest how this investigation might be evaluated and
improved.

Fig 2a


Fig. 2b


Investigating peoples' views on the use of
B Economic activity & Energy
renewable and non-renewable energy.
Skills You need to appreciate how attitudes to the renewables/non-renewables
issue (e.g. energy efficiency) can be explored by means of questionnaire design
and use.
Aim To investigate people’s views on renewable and non-renewable energy
Location Virtual
Hypothesis People have similar views with regard to using renewable energy
Data Questionnaire method as outlined elsewhere.
Collection Sampling in this case must be STRATIFIED to achieve a clear section of views
Technique Questionnaires may vary depending on the nature of the local issue
Risk
As per other questionnaires
Assessment
Presentation Graphs; pie, bar.
method Statistics; use of means and ranges in the data to be abel to draw conclusions
about the trends in views
Note that with an emotive local issue there is a greater chance of there being
some extreme answers.
Conclusions AS per data given in the exam
Limitations Size of sample, limits of questionnaire design, time available, reluctancy of
respondents to give answer.
Development here may be to use a postal/leaflet or online questionnaire.
Ideas for 1. Describe how people’s views on the use of renewable and non-renewable
improvement energy could be investigated.


Appendix A (geographyteachingtoday)

Sampling techniques

Introduction

What is sampling?

 A ‘short-cut' method for investigating a whole population
 Data is gathered on a small part of the whole ‘parent population' or ‘sampling frame'
and used to inform what the whole picture is like

Why sample?

In reality there is simply not enough:

 Time
 Energy
 Money
 Labour / man power
 Equipment
 Access to suitable sites

to measure every single ‘item' or site within the ‘parent population' or whole ‘sampling frame'

Therefore an appropriate sampling strategy is adopted to obtain a representative, and statistically
valid sample of the whole.

Sampling considerations

 Larger sample sizes are more accurate representations of the whole
 The sample size chosen is a balance between obtaining a statistically valid
representation, and the time, energy, money, labour, equipment and access available.
 A sampling strategy made with the minimum of bias is the most statistically valid.
 Most approaches assume that the parent population has a ‘normal distribution' where
most items or individuals clustered close to the mean, with few extremes.
 A 95% probability or confidence level is usually assumed, e.g. 95% of items or individuals
will be within + or - 2 standard deviations from the mean (see graph)
 This also means that up to 5% may lie outside of this - sampling, no matter how good
can only ever be claimed to be a very close estimate.


Sampling techniques
Three main types of sampling strategy:

1. Random
2. Systematic
3. Stratified

Within these types, you may then decide on a:
a) Point
b) Line
c) Area
method.

1. Random sampling

 Least biased of all sampling techniques: there is no subjectivity - each member of the
total population has an equal chance of being selected
 Can be obtained using random number tables
 Microsoft Excel has a function to produce random number;

Methodology

A. Random point sampling

 A grid is drawn over a map of the study area
 Random number tables are used to obtain coordinates / grid references for the points
 Sampling takes place as feasibly close to these points as possible

B. Random line sampling

 Pairs of coordinates or grid references are obtained using random number tables, and
marked on a map of the study area
 These are joined to form lines to be sampled

C. Random area sampling

 Random number tables generate coordinates or grid references which are used to mark
the bottom left (south west) corner of quadrats or grid squares to be sampled


Figure 1: A random number grid showing methods of generating random numbers, lines and areas.

Advantages and disadvantages of random sampling

Advantages:

 Can be used with large sample populations.
 Avoids bias.

Disadvantages:

 Can lead to poor representation of the overall ‘parent' population or area if large areas
are not ‘hit' by the random numbers generated. This is made worse if the study area is
very large.
 There may be practical constraints in terms of time available and access to certain parts
of the study area.

2. Systematic sampling
Samples are chosen in a systematic, or regular way.

 They are evenly / regularly distributed in a spatial context, e.g. every 2 metres along a
transect line.
 They can be at equal / regular intervals in a temporal context, e.g. every half hour or at
set times of the day.
 They can be regularly ‘numbered', e.g. every 10th house or person.

Methodology

A. Systematic point sampling
A grid can be used and the points can be at the intersections of the grid lines (A), or in the middle of
each grid square (B). Sampling is done at the nearest feasible place. Along a transect line, sampling


points for vegetation / pebble data collection could be identified systematically, e.g. every 2 metres
or every 10th pebble

B. Systematic line sampling
The ‘eastings' or ‘northings' of the grid on a map can be used to identify transect lines (C and D)
Alternatively, along a beach it could be decided that a transect up the beach will be conducted every
20 metres along the length of the beach

C. Systematic area sampling
A ‘pattern' of grid squares to be sampled can be identified using a map of the study area, e.g. every
2nd / 3rd grid square down or across the area (E) - the south west corner will then mark the corner
of a quadrat. Patterns can be any shape or direction as long as they are regular (F)

Figure 2: Systemic sampling grid showing methods of generating systemic points, lines and areas.

Advantages and disadvantages of systematic sampling

Advantages:

 It is more straight-forward than random sampling.
 A grid doesn't necessarily have to be used - sampling just has to be at uniform intervals.
 A good coverage of the study area can be more easily achieved than using random
sampling.

Disadvantages:

 It is more biased, as not all members or points have an equal chance of being selected.
 It may therefore lead to over - or under - representation of a particular pattern.

3. Stratified sampling


This method is used when the parent population or sampling frame is made up of sub-sets of known
size. These sub-sets make up different proportions of the total, and therefore sampling should be
stratified to ensure that results are proportional and representative of the whole.

A. Stratified systematic sampling
The population can be divided into known groups, and each group sampled using a systematic
approach. The number sampled in each group should be in proportion to its known size in the parent
population.
For example: the make-up of different social groups in the population of a town can be obtained,
and then the number of questionnaires carried out in different parts of the town can be stratified in
line with this information. A systematic approach can still be used by asking every 5th person.

B. Stratified random sampling
A wide range of data and fieldwork situations can lend themselves to this approach - wherever there
are two study areas being compared, e.g. two woodlands, river catchments, rock types or a
population with sub-sets of known size, e.g. woodland with distinctly different habitats
Random point, line or area techniques can be used as long as the number of measurements taken is
in proportion to the size of the whole.
For example: if an area of woodland was the study site, there would likely be different types of
habitat (sub-sets) within it. Random sampling may altogether ‘miss' one or more of these. Stratified
sampling would take into account the proportional area of each habitat type within the woodland
and then each could be sampled accordingly; if 20 samples were to be taken in the woodland as a
whole, and it was found that a shrubby clearing accounted for 10% of the total area, 2 samples
would need to be taken within the clearing. The sample points could still be identified randomly (A)
or systematically (B) within each separate area of woodland.


Figure 3: A diagram highlighting the benefits of using stratified random sampling and stratified
systemic sampling within certain fieldwork sites.

Advantages and disadvantages of stratified sampling

Advantages:

 It can be used with random or systematic sampling, and with point, line or area
techniques.
 If the proportions of the sub-sets are known, it can generate results which are more
representative of the whole population.
 It is very flexible and applicable to many geographical enquiries.
 Correlations and comparisons can be made between sub-sets.

Disadvantages:

 The proportions of the sub-sets must be known and accurate if it is to work properly.
 It can be hard to stratify questionnaire data collection - accurate, up to date population
data may not be available and it may be hard to identify people's age or social
background effectively


Appendix B – Risk Assessment – (SPS Iceland 2009)


Appendix C – Urban Land use classification


Appendix D Questionnaires, focus groups and interviews (Geography Review 2009)


Appendix E Using a clinometer, ranging poles, pantometers and Power’s scales

Ranging poles & clinometer

Power’s Scale

Pantometer


Appendix F – Questionnaire of people’s views on coastal protection (Edexcel textbook CD)

Questionnaire – all students to complete the same questionnaire to allow all responses to
be collated
Record Gender (M/F)
1. Age

2. Work
If you are working, how would you classify your job?
3. Income bracket?


4. Residence
Are you local (Shoreham to Lancing), if not please state
5. Opener on Sea defences

Are you aware of the sea defences along the coast here from Lancing to Shoreham. ( if no
then record that and STOP questionnaire)
6. View on the Sea defences


Appendix G – Example Goad map (www.experian.co.uk)

Goad maps show the actual user of the ground floor in CBD areas and are used for commercial
services when new shops are seeking the ideal location for them to occupy with relation to other
shops.


Appendix H – An Environmental Quality Survey

This is a bi-polar EQS using fixed grades rather than allowing for values to given on a full potential
scale between the outlying numbers.


Appendix I - An example of a fieldwork investigation into the location of industry

(www. http://ih-igcse-geography.wikispaces.com)

Glass fibre Tube factory outside Camarles by Nike

1. Introduction: The factors that can influence the location of a
secondary or tertiary organisation
 Markets: some factories must be close to the place where they sell there products for to prevent
using money in transport and that there product is easy to cell.e.g. the easy access is only
important to industries where they need to cell there products the fastest as possible like food.
 Environment: the industries must give a prosperous and professional image for there workers and
clients so that they don't get a bad influence to there products.e.g. it's important because if they
have a bad image there products will sell less then if they would have a good one.
 Location/site: the industries must find a place that is near motorways and ports for easy transport,
that the land is suitable for construction and cheap to place their industries.e.g. the industries
would position there selves where the terrain is flat and not where it bumpy to prevent costs to fix
there terrain.
 Transport: the transport of there products is very important so they place their industry close to
railways, airports, harbourers, roads and motorways.e.g. they will be placed close to railways if
they need to transport a lot of products, for a far distance. They will be placed close to airports if
they need to transport valuable and light products. They will be placed close to the port if they
need to transport over the sea. And they will be placed close to roads and motor ways to have easy
transport for short distances.
 Government policy: the industries tend to go where the government is not so strict, like places
where they don't have to give so much salary to there workers, where they don't have to pay so
much taxes, etc... and that the government gives aid to them when they need it.e.g. the industries
will not go to places where the government is very strict to prevent paying a lot of taxes.
 Raw materials: the industries stay close to the raw material that they need to prevent transport
costs.e.g. it's important to heavy industries like iron and steel.
 Energy: the industry needs energy to function so they place them selves where they can get easy
access on electricity.
 Labour: industries need workers to work for them so they place them selves where the workers are
qualified and demand less money.e.g. the industries will not position their selves where there is no
qualified workers that can work for them.
 Capital: the industries will position there selves where they use the least money and they can sell
there products at a high price.

2. Your chosen organisation: What is it? Where is it? What does it do?
Its a tube factory that is located in the outskirts of Camarles and it produces are glass fibre polyester
(GRP).


3. Those factors that have no influence at all on your organisation and
why you believe that to be the case
Market: the sighting of the industry is not influenced by the market because they don't sell there
products there but in other places and countries. Raw materials: it is not influenced by the raw
materials because they come from Saudi a Arabia, Turkey, England and Spain. It is a footloose
industry.

4. The factors that do/did have an influence on its location: For each
one (one at a time)– what is it? How/Why does it have an
influence? Where possible, evidence of that influence?
Government policy: it has an influence because they use chemical products to do the
tubes, and the government give them rules and regulation for environmental protection
and worker rights. Capital: it is positioned in a HIC so it can sell there products at a
higher price then normal. Environment: the industry need to give a good impression to
there workers and clients so that they can sell there products easier. Because if they
wouldn't the workers and clients wouldn't have comfort and would think bad of the
industry. Location/site: the did locate there there industry there because the land was
cheap and it was near motorways and ports. They also sighted there selves there


because they have additional terrain to expand if needed. Transport: it has an influence
because they need a wide road to transport these tubes and an access to a port to
transport them to other counties. That's why they are close to the T-340, the N-340 and
the Ap-7, and it's also close to the port of Sant Carlos de la Rapita that is 34km of
distance. It is also close to the main railway of the city. Energy: the industry need to be
close to an energy supply because they use big machinery to create these tubes. That's
why they did position there selves close to the city.Labour: the industry needs to be
positioned close to qualified workers to make the tubes and that's why they did sight
there selves close to the city. They have around 200 workers from the city.

5. Conclusion: which in your opinion is the most important?
In my opinion for this industry the most important thing is the transport because without the
transport they couldn't do any business, the citizens there do not buy any products from
them because they do not need it.


Appendix J an example of “Surveying people’s views on renewable energy”

(EDEXCEL iGCSE textbook CD)

The table above shows the summary of views from questionnaires used in an example in Catalonia,
focussing on the local issues of wind farms.

Bibliography

As cited throughout the Appendices


SPS igcse fieldwork opportunities

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