This document outlines the requirements and process for conducting a geographical investigation. It discusses formulating a hypothesis, different sampling methods (random, systematic, stratified) and their pros and cons. It also covers safety precautions during fieldwork, ways to present data (tables, graphs, charts), and how to evaluate the reliability of collected data. The overall purpose is to provide guidance on how to properly design and carry out a geographical investigation.

1. GEOGRAPHICAL INVESTIGATION
What you need to know

2. BY THE END OF THE LESSON
We will be able to
1. Know the basic requirements of conducting
a geographical investigation.

3. REQUIREMENTS OF A GI
1. Formulating a hypothesis
2. Sampling methods, pros and cons
3. Sampling instruments
– Questionnaires, instruments, land use surveys.
4. Safety precautions during fieldwork
5. Ways to present data, pros and cons
6. Evaluating reliability of data
7. Weather instruments (4E Elective Geography
only)

4. FORMULATING A HYPOTHESIS
• A hypothesis allow you to decide on the
purpose of the investigation
• Expressed as a statement that can be rejected
or accepted.
• A valid hypothesis can be tested and proven
by the data collected from fieldwork.

5. SAMPLING METHODS
1. Random sampling
2. Systematic simply
3. Stratified sampling

6. RANDOM SAMPLING
• When a large survey population is available
for study.
• Each sample is randomly selected and
entirely by chance,
• such that each sample has the same
probability of being chosen.
• Reduce human biases.
• Simple to use.
• Short time in the field.

7. SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING
• When a homogenous population is available
for study.
• Each sample is selected with regular intervals
in between e.g. every nth person/pebble.
• Reduce human biases.
• Simple to use.
• Short time in the field.

8. STRATIFIED SAMPLING
• When there are subgroups in the survey
population.
• Stratification is the process of dividing members
of the population into homogeneous subgroups
before sampling.
• Random sampling or systematic sampling can be
applied to each subgroup before sampling.
• Ensures equal representation across subgroups.
• Hard to use.
• May create classification errors.
• Requires more planning and time in the field.

9. SAMPLING INSTRUMENTS
• Questionnaires
– Quantitative vs. Qualitative items
• Instruments,
– Wind vane, rain gauge, barometer

10. SAMPLING INSTRUMENTS
• Land use surveys
– Study the shops along the designated street
– Calculate the length of the shops
– Take photographs of the shops
– Indicate the goods and services
– Shade similar types of shops with same colour
– Include the a legend to explain the colour
codes

11. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Observe changes to the environmental
conditions such as weather.
• Always work in groups.
• Listen carefully to instructions.
• Seek the teacher’s permission if there is a
need to leave the fieldwork site.
• Collect the contact details of the teacher and
group mates.

12. WAYS TO PRESENT DATA
• Table
• Simple line graphs
– Contain one dependent variable and one
independent variable
• Comparative line graphs
– Consists more than one dependent variable
• Compound line graphs
– Consists two or more subsets of a set of data

13. WAYS TO PRESENT DATA
• Simple bar graphs
– Contain one dependent variable and one
independent variable
• Comparative bar graphs
– Compares two or more sets of data
• Compound bar graphs
– Consists two or more subsets of a set of data
• Pie charts
• Scatter graphs

14. QUESTION
• What are the pros and cons of presenting data
in the following ways.
– Table
– Line graphs
– Bar graphs
– Pie charts

15. EVALUATING RELIABILITY OF DATA
• Inaccessibility to some areas may result in
unequal collection of samples.
• Data is more accurate if there are a greater
number of collection sites and data is
collected more frequently.
• Unusual weather conditions may skew data
collected.
• Parallax error when reading off an instrument
will produce inaccurate results.