3.4 Presenting findings

Question 1

Maps

Answer 1

• maps are visual representations of real-world spatial info using symbols
• they are usually map up of dots, lines and polygons
• dots are usually used to represent discrete features such as a location of a shop
• lines are typically used to represent roads or other continuous features
• polygons are typically used to represent boundaries such as parks or schools
• consist of title, date, orientation, scale, author and sources
• Title: Provides details about map’s content (may include date)
• Orientation: usually aligned with/ compass arrow pointing to north
• Scale: Help readers understand map’s relative size and distance
• Legends: explains symbols & contains additional details like source of data/ date data was collected
• Author, source: readers can gauge reliability of the info and to explore data further if necessary

Question 2

Graphs

Answer 2

• useful in interpreting data for analysis & present data findings
• Can use:
  1. Bar graphs
  2. Pie Charts
  3. Line graphs
• important to consider type of quantitative data & how the graph can meaningfully communicate findings when choosing graph to use.

Question 3

Bar Graphs

Answer 3

• shows total values by categories using rectangular bars

uses of bar graphs:
- to present data with discrete categories such as mode of transport
- to compare data between different categories

Question 4

Pie chart

Answer 4

• shows categorical data in form of circular graph

uses:
- show percentage or proportional data

Question 5

Line graph

Answer 5

• shows data that continuously change over time using lines
• trends and relationships between variables can be shown by:
  1. upward and downward lines, which show increase or decreasing trends
  2. gradients of best-fit lines can determine the relationships between variables

Use of line graphs:
- show trends over time
- present continuous data

Question 6

Presenting findings using photos

Answer 6

• can be used to present fieldwork findings with spatial info
• can be taken from different orientations, offering different perspectives:
  1. ground-level images are used to present a detailed part of an area
  2. Aerial images are used to present spatial distribution over the whole area
• processed satellite images are useful in presenting spatial distribution of phenomena

Question 7

Presenting findings using texts

Answer 7

• they are qualitative and presents researchers with unique challenges of interpretation and representation

Includes:
- letters
- oral histories
- transcripts of interviews
- other rich sources of secondary info

Common approaches to presenting findings using texts are:
1. Colour-coded quotations
2. Word clouds

Question 8

Colour-coded quotation

Answer 8

• it is easy for researchers to lose sight of what they are reading when analysing large bodies of texts
• helps in analysing and presenting findings from qualitative data
• use of different colours and its accompanying meanings help analyse data and communicate findings

Question 9

Word Clouds

Answer 9

• it is hard to recognise most impt points in text-based data
• used to present more impt points
• bigger and bolder words means that it is mentioned in the text more often, signalling greater importance