GI notes Flashcards
What are the 5 steps of GI
- Guiding question/Hypothesis
- Data collection
- Data representation
- Data analysis
- Evaluating validity of the conclusions
Traffic counting: Accuracy considerations
Have more than one person doing the counting and average the different counts
Questionnaire surveys: Advantages
- Able to collect large amounts of data in a short time
- The results of the questions can usually be quickly and easily quantified to bre analysed using statistics
Questionnaire surveys: Disadvantages
- Respondents with no opinion or knowledge can answer anyway and misinterpretation of a question can go unnoticed by the researcher
- Respondents can be fustrated because their desired answer is not a choice (people forced to make choices)
Interviews/Open-ended questions: Advantages
- Respondents can answer in detail
- Respondents can ask further questions to clarify the respondent’s answers
Interviews/Open-ended questions: Disadvantages
- Takes a long time to carry out
- Comparisons and statistical analysis becomes difficult
How to carry out data collection for: Number of visitors
- Select a suitable site to conduct count (usually the
entrances or exits to the area). - Use a pocket tally to keep track of the number of
visitors.
How to carry out data collection for: Survey questionnaire
- Determine the types of information required to answer
the guiding question or to test the hypothesis. - Decide on the number of respondents (also who they will
be (e.g. locals? Tourists?) - Decide on a sampling strategy to select respondents.
- Decide on time frame and location to conduct surveys.
- Administer surveys in the study area.
How to carry out data collection for: Bi-polar/perception survey
- Determine the categories that will make up the survey
required to answer the guiding question or to test the
hypothesis. - Determine the range of the scores (e.g. -2 to 2)
- Decide on the number of respondents (also who they
will be (e.g. locals? Tourists?) - Decide on a sampling strategy to select respondents.
- Decide on time frame and location to conduct surveys.
- Administer surveys in the study area.
How to carry out data collection for: Land use survey
- Determine the distance along the road to be included in
the land-use survey study area. - Obtain a large-scale map of the area that shows the
separate units/buildings along the study area. - Decide on the classification of the land-use for the study
area (e.g. accommodation, F&B, tourist attraction, retail,
etc.) - Walk along the road and record the types of land-use on
the map.
Sampling technique: Systematic sampling
A method of sampling where
the samples are selected
according to some ordering
scheme. Samples are
collected in a regular way
through that scheme.
E.g. Samples collected every
5 meters from a certain
randomly selected starting
point along the beach.
Selecting every fifth tourist
exiting a tourist attraction to
interview.
Advantages of systematic sampling:
- Reduces human
bias. - It is an efficient
way to carry out
sampling as the
students only have
to decide on a
sampling interval. - Ensures that
samples are taken
from the entire area
(W&C).
Disadvantages of systematic sampling:
If the study area is
not homogenous,
there is a chance
that systematic
sampling will miss
out areas that may
be different from the
areas that are
sampled (W&C).
If the tourists to be
surveyed are from
different regions,
there is a chance
that systematic
sampling may miss
out on tourists from
certain regions or
under-represent
them (Tourism).
Sampling technique: Random sampling
A method of sampling where
every sample in the study
area has an equal chance of
being picked.
Random number generator
used to select samples.
Advantages of random sampling:
- Eliminates the
occurrence of
human biases. - Useful when there
is a possibility of
underlying patterns
in the study area.
Disadvantages of random sampling:
There is a chance
that the samples do
not adequately
represent the study
area (W&C).
Not suitable for
selecting survey
respondents due to
the practical
difficulties in
selecting the
respondent identified
by the random
number generator
(Tourism).
Sampling technique: Stratified sampling
A method of sampling where
the study area is divided up
according to some
characteristic and samples are
collected from each area.
E.g. samples taken using
systematic/random sampling
from foreshore, berm and
backshore.
E.g. Samples taken using
systematic/random sampling
from different groups of tourists
at a tourist area. E.g.
Caucasians, Asians, Middle
Eastern, South Asian, etc.
Advantages of stratified sampling:
Ensures that the
different study
areas are
adequately
represented in the
samples taken.
Disadvantages of stratified sampling:
Harder to administer
than random or
systematic sampling
as it requires the
selection of
categories.
Importance of a pilot study
- The methods chosen work at the study site.
- No important questions are left out of the surveys, and
- The timing and locations for data collection are appropriate for the study.
Safety considerations
Weather forecasts: To ensure that no storms are forecast especially if out in the open.
Traffic conditions & construction: In urban environments, students should avoid areas with heavy traffic or construction.
Type of data represented: Simple bar graph
-Discrete data
-Only one set of data
Advantages of simple bar graphs:
- Allow multiple sets of data to be compared easily.
- Large data sets can be used.
- Patterns can be easily observed.
Disadvantages of simple bar graphs:
- Trends are difficult to predict.
- Can only be used for discrete data.
- Changes over time cannot be displayed.
Type of data represented: Pie chart
-Coloured portions of respective groups
Advantages of pie charts:
- Easy to interpret
- Shows percentage for each category.
Disadvantages of pie charts:
- Exact values of each measurement is unknown due to grouping.
- Unable to show changes over time (unless comparing two pie charts).
- Unable to include too many categories (difficult to read).
- Comparison of two data sets is difficult.
Analysing the data: Identifying trends in the data.
How to use data to test the hypothesis/guiding question:
- Identify the trends in the data (be specific about what variables you are using to identify the trend; e.g. average distance, total number of visitors, etc…).
- Give examples from the data to back up the trends you have identified (be sure to generalise the data and not just pick one or two points)..
- Highlight any anomalies (data that does not fit the trends you have identified)
Evaluating validity of the conclusions: No. of samples, too few samples
Small sample size may lead to unreliable data as it may not represent the entire study area or group of people.
Evaluating validity of the conclusions: Location of data
collection, location of data may bias the data collected
towards one group of people or measurements collection.
Data collected at only certain locations may not give a reliable
representation of what the average results might be for larger areas.
