geographical methods (2. how to collect primary data) Flashcards
what are questionnaire surveys
an investigation on the opinions and attitudes of people or organisations based on a series of questions
used to collect quantitative data (data that can be quantified and measured)
what are predefined responses in a questionnaire survey
short phrases, or a single word arranged in a series or numbers
advantages of closed ended questions
- the predefined responses guides participants, making it easier for them to answer
- researchers may find predefined responses easier to analyse and interpret since they are put into fixed categories
- they are useful for quantitative data analysis to examine patterns and trends
-it is a straightforward method to collect non numerical information
likert scale
presents a range of responses anchored by 2 extreme opposing positions
can have predefined responses based on a scale of agreement (agree/ disagree) or quality (excellent/ extremely poor)
frequency scale
presents a range of responses based on the number of occurrences
responses spaced at equal intervals ‘<25%, 25% - 50%, 51% - 75% and >75%’
responses can also be worded in order according to time periods, like ‘daily, weekly, monthly or annually’
ranking scale
used to get respondents to compare items
it should have less than 10 items if it is to produce reliable data
when large scales are used, survey participants would not have strong opinions snout items ranked in the middle
what can mental maps be used for
to capture personal insights that impact our lives (insights that play a key role in understanding the dynamic human- environment inter-relationships)
mental maps provides a lens into:
-how people experience space
-how people think visually and spatially about their environment
- the dynamic inter-relationships people have with their environment
What are mental maps used for in research?
Mental maps can be used to collect primary data on people’s mental constructs or processes in how they think spatially about places.
What do participants do when creating mental maps?
Participants are given blank papers and asked to draw features in map form, including what they know, believe, and/or feel about a place or places.
What is a base map?
A base map is a layer with geographic information that serves as a background, consisting of simplified lines demarcating landmarks or routes.
Participants can annotate or label their perceptions on this base map.
What kind of instructions might participants receive for creating mental maps?
Participants may be provided with different base maps, instructions, and even tools to create their mental maps.
The specifics depend on the research question or hypothesis.
True or False: Mental maps only focus on geographic data.
False
They also encompass people’s perceptions and feelings about places.
Fill in the blank: Mental maps help reveal people’s _______ about their environment.
[perceptions]
This includes their beliefs and feelings regarding specific places.
why are free form mental maps good
they are more repress of participants geographical imagination of places compared to the use of labelled base maps
disadvantages of using free form mental maps
they are not easily georefrenced hence not easily mapped onto Geographical Information Systems
when should semi structured interviews with open ended questions be conducted
after they have drawn their mental maps to find out more about participants knowledge, perceptions, preferences and behaviours
what does the data collected from semi structured interviews do
they allow researchers to use data collected from these interviews to understand better the features and labels drawn on the mental maps by different participants
what is a pedestrian/ vehicular/ traffic count
a systematic method used to measure and record the number of people or vehicles passing a specific point within a given time frame
what is the aim of pedestrian/ vehicular/ traffic counts
the data helps to understand movement patterns, peak usage time and overall traffic flow
pedestrian counts
often involves counting individuals entering or exiting a location such as a park or shopping area
vehicular or traffic count
typically track the number and types of vehicles providing insights into road usage and congestion levels
steps involved in pedestrian/ vehicular/ traffic counts
- students should position themselves at key locations around the park, such as entrances, exits, i any commonly used pathways
- each student should take on a specific task to ensure smooth coordination
- combine the tallies from all entry and exit points to determine the total number of visitors
why should students position themselves at key locations of a place
this ensures that all movements in and out of the area are captured accurately
what are the various tasks students can take on when conducting a traffic count to ensure smooth coordination
counter, timekeeper and recorder
what does a counter do
count the number of people entering or exiting a place. this can be done with a pocket tally counter for easier or a traditional tally method using pen and paper
what does a timekeeper do
manage the duration of the count by using a stopwatch. the investigation should be conducted within a predetermined time frame (eg 15 minutes)
what does the recorder do
document observations, such as unusual patterns, peak entry points, environmental conditions, special events or unusually high/low activities during the count
what are some conditions to bear in mind when doing a pedestrian/ traffic count
choice of location
timing and duration
weather conditions
safety measures
choice of locations
- conduct count at strategic points (eg entrances or exits of the site) to prevent double counting and ensures more accurate data collection
- select areas that provide clear visibility of pedestrians or vehicles (eg open spaces) which allow better observation and reduce chances of missed data
-avoid overcrowded or highly confined areas where movement is hard to track accurately
timing and duration
-standardised time of day, start time and end time to maintain consistency
-avoid counting count during one-off events (eg concerts/festivals) which cause unusual spike in visitors
-use a fixed duration for count ti ensure all observers start simultaneous
weather conditions
- consider impact of weather (eg, rainy days may reduce miner of visitors in open areas like parks)
- choose locations with both she,tired and open spaces to account for potential weather changes
safety measures
-each student conductions count should not stand too close to moving vehicles or busy roads
- work is small groups to enhance safety, especially is areas with high vehicular traffic
- choose observation points that are safe and accessible (eg sidewalks or designated observation zones)
