Scribd
Upload
129 views12 pages

Igcse Geography Alternative Paper 4: Investigating

This document provides guidance on the methodology and skills required for the IGCSE Geography Alternative Paper 4, which involves investigating geographical concepts through hypotheses testing. It discusses the use of questionnaires, observations, counts and measurements to collect relevant data to test hypotheses. Examples of each data collection method are provided, along with factors to consider in designing and implementing each technique successfully. The document also outlines techniques for presenting collected data visually and making judgments based on the evidence.

Uploaded by

Hadad Lwaze
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
129 views12 pages

Igcse Geography Alternative Paper 4: Investigating

This document provides guidance on the methodology and skills required for the IGCSE Geography Alternative Paper 4, which involves investigating geographical concepts through hypotheses testing. It discusses the use of questionnaires, observations, counts and measurements to collect relevant data to test hypotheses. Examples of each data collection method are provided, along with factors to consider in designing and implementing each technique successfully. The document also outlines techniques for presenting collected data visually and making judgments based on the evidence.

Uploaded by

Hadad Lwaze
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

IGCSE GEOGRAPHY

ALTERNATIVE PAPER 4
INVESTIGATING
These are called enquiry skills for Paper 4.
Candidates should be familiar with hypotheses as statements
that form the basis of Coursework assignments.
The hypotheses may investigate a geographical concept e.g. ‘A
CBD has the highest concentration of comparison shops’.
Collecting relevant data, analysis and drawing conclusions
using the data as evidence can test these.
Questions on this paper will test knowledge and application of
the methodology used in the following range of data collection
enquiry skills. The data can be collected by using:
A. questionnaires
B. observations
C. counts
D. measurements
Questionnaires can be oral or written to gain information from
an individual or a group of individuals.
Suitable questionnaires may include:
- spheres of influence
- use of services
- shopping habits
- a farm study
- a factory or industrial study
- leisure activities
- tourism
- attitudes of the public to developments associated with resource
development.
Consideration should be given to factors influencing the
successful design of questionnaires:
- layout
- format of questions
- the appropriate wording of questions
- the number of questions
The practical considerations of conducting a questionnaire e.g.
the sampling methods, pilot survey, and location of survey
should also be discussed.
Examples of using observations as an enquiry skill to collect
data include the recording of land-use in an urban area or
observations of river or coastal features.
Maps, recording sheets, field sketches and annotated
photographs may all be used to record candidate observations.
Pedestrian and traffic counts are two significant examples of
this enquiry skill.
Appropriate methods for recording the counts should be
discussed including:
- the layout of recording sheets
- Instructions
- the necessary information required to identify the sheet
following the count such as:
- time
- date
- location
- name of recorder
When recording measurements, due consideration should be
given to planning:
- the layout of the recording sheet
- the location of instruments
- the sampling methods adopted to provide reliable data
Knowledge of the equipment used in measurement is required
such as:
- the quadrat
- the clinometer
- the pebbleometer
- callipers
Candidates should be familiar with river measurements of
channel:
- width
- depth
- speed of flow
- the size and shape of bedload
Beach studies of:
- beach profile
- the size and shape of pebbles
- the movement of beach material
- weather study instruments
- measurement techniques associated with human fieldwork such as:
- survey strategies
- pedestrian/traffic counts.
A knowledge of the illustrative techniques to present data across
the topics for Paper 4 is required. This should include various
types of graphs, maps and diagrams such as:
- line graphs
- bar graphs
- divided bar graphs
- histograms
- flow diagrams
- wind rose graphs
- isoline maps
- scatter graphs
- pie graphs
- triangular graphs
- radial graphs
Candidates should be able to describe the patterns in data
presented in graphs and tables of results.
Reference to relevant geographical knowledge and
understanding is often required in the interpretation of the data.
Practice of this skill will improve success in Paper 4 questions.
Using the evidence from the data, candidates should be able to
make judgements on the validity of the original hypothesis or
aims of the assignment.
Reference is also required of the reliability of the collected data
and a critical evaluation of the chosen data collection methods.

You might also like