Fieldwork (physical geography enquiry) Flashcards
What is the title of my physical geography enquiry?
To investigate how the River Tillingbourne changes downstream
How was the fieldwork related to what you have studied in class?
studied fluvial landscapes in the UK
What were you trying to investigate?
velocity
channel width
channel depth
What was you hypothesis?
velocity increase
width and depth increase
What risks were identified and what did you do to reduce them?
drowning - not deep water
weather - layers/suncream
What primary data did you collect?
velocity
width
depth
field sketch
What secondary data did you use?
landuse survey
OS map
FSC data
Environment Agency
Why was the primary data collection suitable to prove your hypothesis?
systematic sampling - 5 points per transect
stratified sampling - sample characteristics/locations
What sampling methods did you use?
systematic
stratified
What were the advantages of the data collection method you used?
systematic : avoids bias/shows change over space and time
stratified : valid data/combine with systematic/random
What were the disadvantages of the data collection method you used?
systematic : miss smaller patterns
stratified : bias / time consuming
How did you chose to present your data?
cross section (width/depth)
bar graph (velocity)
annotated photo
Why was cross section a good way of presenting data?
shows trends/patterns
easy to interpret
change over space/time
Why was bar chart a good way of presenting data?
compare sites
discrete data simply
interpret / construct easily
Why was an annotated photo a good way of presenting data?
qualitative data visually
explains results
adds understanding
What does a cross section show and how does it link to the enquiry?
compare width and depth
doesn’t fit with Bradshaw model
human management input
What does a bar graph show and how does it link to the enquiry?
changes in velocity
fits with Bradshaw model
What does an annotated photo show and how does it link to the enquiry?
scale of river
sediment, vegetation, channel, floodplain
To improve my data presentation I could have added…
….scatter graph
From my fieldwork I have discovered that…
…velocity, width and depth all increase
How did the secondary data help our understanding of the conclusion?
human interference altered channel in 16th century to provide water for Abinger Mill
My fieldwork was limited because….
….only one day at site
My fieldwork proved my hypothesis….
…to be correct
The strengths of my fieldwork was….
….repeats taken
combined results - increase sample size
systematic sampling
stratified sampling
qualitative and quantitative
I could improve my fieldwork by….
…. collect data from across year
increase no. of sites
increase repeats and no. of readings
What was the hypothesis of my fieldwork study?
discharge increase with distance downstream
Why would discharge increase with distance downstream?
velocity and cross sectional area increase - wider, deeper - transport/erosion
What is the geographical theory which underpins this investigation?
Bradshaw model
How did we avoid tics in long grass?
wore long trousers
How did we avoid drowning and diseases from water?
- no drinking
- no pushing
- sanitise hands
Where is the River Tillingbourne located?
between Dorking and Guilford in Surrey
How does the River Tillingbourne’s length make it appropriate location?
19km - can be seen over short time
How does River Tillingbourne being local make it appropriate location?
return to site
How does River Tillingbourne near to A25 make it appropriate location?
easy access
travel between sites
How does River Tillingbourne shallow and narrow make it appropriate location?
safe to study
What are the 2 sites we visited called?
Crossways farm
Abinger Hammer
What is sampling?
data gathered on small part of population/area
Why do we use sampling?
not enough time / energy / money
What is random sampling?
samples chosen randomly - equal chance of selection
What is systematic sampling?
working to a system to collect data
What is stratified sampling?
sample made of different parts
What are the advantages of random sampling?
unbiased
works well in similar areas
What are the advantages of systematic sampling?
simple/easy to follow
change over space/time
What are the advantages of stratified sampling?
valid data from accessible locations
combine with systematic and random
What are the disadvantages of random sampling?
inaccessible areas
clustering
What are the disadvantages of systematic sampling?
miss smaller patterns
What are the disadvantages of stratified sampling?
bias
time consuming
How did we collect primary data for depth?
place metre stick at bottom of bed at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 4/4
Was the data collection method used at the River Tillingbourne quantitative or qualitative?
quantitative
What type of sampling was used to collect primary data for depth?
systematic
stratified
What type of sampling was used to collect primary data for width?
stratified
What type of sampling was used to collect primary data for velocity?
stratified
How did we collect primary data for width?
place tape measure from one bank to other
How did we collect primary data for velocity?
measure 3m
measure time for corkscrew to travel
use speed = d/t
left, middle, right channel
How do we know our method for measuring depth was reliable?
ruler straight
eye level
How do we know our method for measuring width was reliable?
pull tape taught
avoid vegetation
How do we know our method for measuring velocity?
place cork before 3m
don’t drop cork in
stand sideways - prevent disruption of flow
How does annotated photo contribute to our investigation?
visually represents site
How does environment agency, field council, OS maps contribute to our investigation?
look how land use interrupted
What type of data is annotated photo?
qualitative
What type of data is environment agency, field council, os map?
quantative
How is annotated photo unreliable?
snapshot in time
How is environment agency/council reliable?
collected by officials
