Methodology Flashcards
Methodology
The initial research for this topic was done using the Edexcel A2 Geography text book (by Cameron Dunn et al). This had a useful chapter on the physical impacts of tectonic hazards and was an indication of the range of tectonic landscapes that needed to be studied. As one of the text books recommended by the exam board it could also be assumed that the information in it is reliable.
Geography - An Integrated Approach by D.Waugh was also used and was a good source of information for the processes and landscapes associated with tectonic plate boundaries. This A level text book also mentioned a range of examples that could then be researched further and had useful diagrams.
The final text book to be used was Understanding Geology by D.Webster. This had detailed information on the geological processes and landforms associated with tectonic activity. Although it was produced for the GCSE Geology course it had a lot more technical detail than the other two A Level text books. Bishop’s ‘Hazards and responses’ was also used as a source of detailed background information on tectonic processes, although it didn’t have much information on the landscapes these processes form.
The text books were useful, but they were all published some time ago (although it can be assumed that the case study information on landscapes doesn’t need updating in the way it would with hazards as landscapes take much longer to form). To find up to date information the USGS and BGS websites were used. As the official website of the US Geological Survey and British Geological Survey these could be seen as a reliable sources of information. These websites had an enormous amount of detailed information on tectonic landscapes, although the USGS website was mainly about landscapes in the USA. It also had links to the US National Parks website and this was useful for the research done on Basin and Range Country as it had easily accessible information on how this particular tectonic landscape was formed.
