Fieldwork Techniques and Methodology
Fieldwork in GCSE Geography
AQA GCSE Geography requires you to undertake two fieldwork investigations — one related to physical geography and one related to human geography. In the exam, you will be asked questions about your own fieldwork AND about unfamiliar fieldwork scenarios.
The Fieldwork Enquiry Process
Every geographical investigation follows a structured methodology:
1. Forming a Question or Hypothesis
- Enquiry question: An open question to investigate (e.g. "How does river velocity change downstream?" or "How does quality of life vary across the urban area?")
- Hypothesis: A testable statement predicting the outcome (e.g. "River velocity increases with distance from the source" or "Environmental quality decreases with distance from the CBD")
- The question should be focused, geographical, and answerable through fieldwork
2. Selecting Methods of Data Collection
Primary data — data you collect yourself in the field:
- Questionnaires and interviews
- Measurements (e.g. river width, depth, velocity)
- Counts (e.g. traffic, pedestrians, land use)
- Photographs and field sketches
- Environmental quality surveys (scoring criteria)
Secondary data — data collected by someone else:
- Census data, OS maps, satellite images
- Climate data from the Met Office
- River discharge data from the Environment Agency
- Previous studies or published statistics
3. Sampling Strategies
| Strategy | Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Random | Data points chosen randomly (e.g. random number generator for grid squares) | No bias; statistically fair | May miss important areas; can cluster unevenly |
| Systematic | Data collected at regular intervals (e.g. every 50 metres) | Even coverage; easy to organise | May miss variations between points; could coincide with a pattern |
| Stratified | Area divided into sub-groups, then sample from each proportionally | Ensures all areas/groups represented | More complex to plan; requires knowledge of sub-groups |
| Opportunistic | Data collected wherever/whenever possible | Flexible; pragmatic | Highly biased; not representative |
4. Collecting Data in the Field
River fieldwork techniques:
- Width — measure across the channel with a tape measure
- Depth — use a metre ruler at regular intervals across the channel
- Velocity — time a float (e.g. dog biscuit, orange) over a measured distance; use a flow meter for accuracy; multiply surface velocity by 0.85 for average velocity
- Gradient — use clinometers or ranging poles and a spirit level
- Bed load — measure the long axis of pebbles; Powers' Index of Roundness for shape
- Cross-sectional area — width × average depth
Human fieldwork techniques:
- Environmental quality survey (EQS) — score criteria (litter, noise, greenery, building quality) on a bipolar scale (e.g. −3 to +3)
- Questionnaires — closed (tick-box, multiple choice) for quantitative data or open (free response) for qualitative data
- Land use survey — mapping different land uses in an area using a base map
- Pedestrian/traffic counts — counting people or vehicles passing a point in a set time period
- Index of Decay — scoring the condition of buildings on a numerical scale
5. Risk Assessment
You must consider:
- Physical risks — river currents, steep slopes, uneven ground, weather, tides, traffic
- Social risks — working in unfamiliar areas, approaching strangers for questionnaires
- Mitigation — working in groups, wearing appropriate clothing, informing school of location, avoiding deep water, staying on public paths, adult supervision
6. Presenting Data
Choose presentation methods appropriate to the data:
| Method | Best For |
|---|---|
| Bar charts | Comparing categories or discrete data |
| Line graphs | Showing change over time or distance |
| Scatter graphs | Showing relationships between two variables |
| Pie charts | Showing proportions of a whole |
| Choropleth maps | Showing variations across an area using shading |
| Proportional symbols | Showing quantity at specific locations |
| Flow line maps | Showing movement and direction |
| Isoline maps | Showing lines of equal value (e.g. contours, isotherms) |
| Photographs and sketches | Supporting evidence and visual records |
7. Analysing and Interpreting Data
- Describe patterns — what does the data show? Use data to support your statements.
- Identify anomalies — any results that do not fit the overall trend? Why might this be?
- Statistical analysis — use appropriate statistical tests (see statistical skills note)
- Link to theory — does the data support geographical models/theories? (e.g. Bradshaw Model for rivers, Burgess Model for urban land use)
8. Drawing Conclusions
- Does the data support or reject the hypothesis?
- What are the key findings?
- Are there any unexpected results? Why?
- How do findings link to wider geographical knowledge?
9. Evaluating the Investigation
- Reliability — would the results be the same if repeated? Was the sample size large enough? Was sampling fair?
- Accuracy — were measurements precise? Were there sources of error?
- Limitations — time constraints, weather, equipment issues, small sample size, seasonal variation
- Improvements — more data points, better equipment, different sampling, repeated visits at different times/seasons
- Extensions — what further questions could be investigated?
Exam tip: In the exam you will be asked about both your own fieldwork AND unfamiliar fieldwork. Practise explaining your methodology and justifying your choices — always explain why you chose a particular method, not just what you did.