Coursework/Paper 4 Preparation » Geographical Investigation Skills

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The structure and requirements of Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework)
Essential geographical investigation skills
Data collection techniques and methods
Data presentation and analysis approaches
How to interpret results and draw conclusions
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Introduction to Geographical Investigation Skills

Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework) tests your ability to undertake geographical investigations just like a real geographer would. You'll need to show you can collect, present, analyse and interpret geographical data to answer questions about the real world.

Key Definitions:

Geographical Investigation: A structured study that uses data collection and analysis to answer a geographical question or hypothesis.
Primary Data: Information collected firsthand by the researcher (you or other geographers).
Secondary Data: Information collected by someone else and made available for others to use.
Quantitative Data: Numerical information that can be measured and statistically analysed.
Qualitative Data: Descriptive information based on observations, opinions, or experiences.

📝 Paper 4 Structure

This paper tests your ability to:

Understand investigation methodology
Collect and record data appropriately
Select suitable presentation techniques
Analyse and interpret results
Draw conclusions and evaluate methods

The exam lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 60 marks (27.5% of your total grade).

🔬 Investigation Process

A good geographical investigation follows these steps:

Define a question or hypothesis
Plan your methodology
Collect appropriate data
Present data clearly
Analyse and interpret findings
Draw conclusions
Evaluate the process

Data Collection Methods

Knowing how to collect good quality data is essential for any geographical investigation. The methods you choose should match your investigation aims.

Physical Geography Methods

These techniques help you collect data about natural environments and processes.

🌊 River Studies

Measure channel width, depth and wetted perimeter
Calculate discharge using float method
Measure velocity using flow meter
Assess bed load using pebble analysis
Conduct infiltration tests on surrounding soil

🏖 Coastal Studies

Beach profile measurements
Sediment size and shape analysis
Longshore drift measurements
Wave frequency and height counts
Cliff recession monitoring

🌲 Ecosystem Studies

Quadrat sampling for vegetation
Transect studies across boundaries
Light meter readings
Soil moisture and pH testing
Temperature and humidity measurements

Human Geography Methods

These techniques help you collect data about human activities, settlements and interactions.

🏠 Settlement Studies

Land use mapping
Building age and condition surveys
Traffic and pedestrian counts
Environmental quality assessments
Service provision mapping

👪 Population Studies

Questionnaires and interviews
Census data analysis
Migration pattern mapping
Age structure analysis
Quality of life indicators

🏢 Economic Studies

Business type surveys
Sphere of influence mapping
Customer origin surveys
Employment structure analysis
Tourism impact assessments

Data Presentation Techniques

Once you've collected your data, you need to present it clearly. Different types of data suit different presentation methods.

📊 Statistical Techniques

Line Graphs: Show changes over time or distance (e.g., temperature change, river profile)
Bar Charts: Compare discrete data (e.g., population by age group)
Pie Charts: Show proportions of a whole (e.g., land use percentages)
Scatter Graphs: Show relationships between two variables (e.g., distance from CBD vs house prices)
Histograms: Show frequency distributions (e.g., pebble size distribution)

🗺 Cartographic Techniques

Choropleth Maps: Show variations across areas using shading (e.g., population density)
Isoline Maps: Connect points of equal value (e.g., contour lines, isotherms)
Flow Line Maps: Show movement (e.g., migration patterns, trade)
Proportional Symbol Maps: Use differently sized symbols to represent data (e.g., city population)
Dot Maps: Use dots to show distribution (e.g., crop distribution)

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Analysis means finding patterns, relationships and anomalies in your data. Interpretation means explaining what these findings mean in relation to your investigation question.

Statistical Analysis

You should be familiar with these key statistical techniques:

Mean, Median and Mode: Different ways to find the average of your data
Range and Interquartile Range: Measures of data spread
Spearman's Rank Correlation: Tests the strength of relationship between two sets of data
Percentage Increase/Decrease: Shows proportional change
Standard Deviation: Measures how spread out your data is

Case Study Focus: River Investigation

A typical river investigation might test the Bradshaw Model, which predicts how river characteristics change from source to mouth:

Hypothesis: "Channel width, depth and discharge increase downstream."
Data Collection: Measurements at 5-6 sites along the river
Presentation: Line graphs showing changes in width, depth and discharge
Analysis: Calculate percentage increases between sites
Interpretation: Compare findings with the Bradshaw Model predictions
Conclusion: State whether the hypothesis is supported and explain any anomalies

Drawing Conclusions and Evaluating

The final parts of any investigation are drawing conclusions and evaluating your methods.

💡 Effective Conclusions

A good conclusion should:

Directly answer your original question or hypothesis
Summarise key findings using specific data
Explain patterns and relationships found
Discuss any anomalies or unexpected results
Link findings to geographical theories or models
Suggest what the findings mean in a wider context

⚠ Evaluation Tips

When evaluating your investigation, consider:

Reliability: Were your methods consistent?
Accuracy: How precise were your measurements?
Validity: Did you measure what you intended to?
Sample size: Did you collect enough data?
Limitations: What factors affected your results?
Improvements: How could the investigation be better?

Exam Success Tips

In the Paper 4 exam, you'll be given unfamiliar data from a geographical investigation and asked to interpret it. Here's how to succeed:

Read the whole question before starting to understand the context
Look carefully at any maps, graphs or tables provided
Use geographical terminology in your answers
Support points with specific data from the resources
For longer questions, plan your answer before writing
Suggest improvements that are realistic and specific
Practice interpreting different types of data presentation
Remember to consider reliability, accuracy and validity when evaluating methods

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Vague descriptions: Always use specific data from the resources
Ignoring anomalies: Discuss unexpected results and possible reasons
Weak evaluations: Don't just say "do more samples" - explain why and how
Misreading graphs: Check scales and units carefully
Poor time management: Allocate time according to mark values

🧠 Test Your Knowledge!