Fieldwork - Physical Flashcards
What is the enquiry question?
Hypothesis
Does the River Ogmore change as we go from source to mouth?
The river ogmore changes from source to mouth
Justify why these specific data collection sites were chosen
The sites were safe as all three sites had access to public footpaths which avoided traffic
The river was easy to access safely, at the two sites we had to collect data for, with low stable banks and low water levels.
Appropriate data - able to access the River Ogmore channel at the different points allowed comparison of river characteristics such as channel width, and bedload along the long profile
Data could have been collected on a school day as it was easy to get from one site to another.
Explain why it is important to carry out a risk assesment
To ensure that we stay safe by identifiying a risk in advance, I can put in measures to reduce the risk. For example wearing wellies when getting in water to avoid getting wet and slipping
What were the risks and solutions?
Slipping and falling - stay away from the river bank
Getting lost - Follow instructions, use map and stay in groups
Getting wet if it rains or stepping in water - Wear waterproof clothing and wellies
Why did I use primary and secondary data?
To analyse changes in the river Ogmore profile
I used primary data in the upper and middle couse because I wanted reliable and accurate data
I used seconday in the lower course due to the river being deep and wide to be able to conduct any measurements.
Justify why you used one of your primary data collection techniches
River width and depth - avaliable equipment and safe to get into water
Evaluate the data collecting method of measuring the river width
There was not proper use of equipment (e.g the ranging poles used to pinpoint the rivers embankment were not always kept straight) - Ranging poles kept straight at all times during measurments
The measuring tape was also not held tight enough leading to possible errors - Measuring tape held tight/straight parallel with rivers surface making sure that it does not pull on the ranging poles
Distractions while recording, noise which might have led to registering errors - Avoiding distractions, following instruactions and focusing on measurements at all time
Evaluate the data collecting method of measuring the rock size (calliper)
Unconscious/conscious bias - (random sampling) picking rocks that would fit in with the hypothesis - Systematic sampling would have helped for a more accurate data
Measuring only the length of the rock - Measuring the length width and thickness and calculating average could’ve have given more accurate data
We collected 10 samples - collecting more samples and averaging them would have been more accurate
Evaluate the collection method of analysing the rock shape / roundness
Subjective due to visual interpretation - checking with peer in groups
Limited to a scale the oversimplified that gradiations in roundness, failing to capture subtle variations - allowing for a wider gradiation that records wider variations
Distractions while recording, noise which might have led to registering errors - Avoiding distractions, following instruactions and focusing on measurements at all time
Evaluate the use of scatter graphs
Used them for rock size and shape
Allowed me to correlations and was easier to compare
Easy to identify outliners
Great at visualising the difference between data sets and accomadate a wide range of data
However, overplotting data can overlap making it hard to read
Limited to two data sets
Evaluate the use of bar charts
Used for the river width
It was easy to simple, clear and easy to visualise and understand
Easy to compare - it was simple to identify tends and patterns
Flexability on arrainging data on axis
Limited in bow much data can be displayed
Lacks detail needed for more analysis
Evaluate field sketches
Good visual documentation of the research sites
Good at capturing details
Time consuming and artistic skills needed, subject to bias
Evaluate annotated photograph
Visually appealing and easy to understand
Can provide valuable context
Too many annotations can distract the main purpose
May not always caputure relavent data
