Paper 1) Coastal fieldwork Flashcards
Primary data
Information that you have collected yourself through fieldwork
-e.g. by measuring something or directly asking somebody a question.
Secondary data
Information that someone else has collected that you will be using to help answer your hypotheses.
-cross reference your results with secondary data to check for accuracy
-use secondary data as part of your results in order to form conclusions.
Qualitative data
Data that is non-numerical
-e.g. photos or open responses on a questionnaire
Quantitative data
Numerical data associated with measurements
Random sampling
When a calculator is used to select numbers at random to choose sample sites for fieldwork study. This reduces bias.
Systematic sampling
Choosing your sampling sites at specific and normally equal intervals
Stratified sampling
Using pre-existing knowledge and understanding of the area of study in order to choose sampling sites
-If studying population you might choose people to answer your questionnaire who fit a category that you have chosen to analyse e.g. I will ask 20 males and 20 females.
Measurement error
The methods chosen to collect the information could be inappropriate for the purpose
-e.g. when measuring the wetted perimeter using a ruler with only cm measurement on it not mm measurements so results are less precise.
Human error
Introducing bias or noting data incorrectly
Procedural error
Errors made during the data collection process through the measurement of instruments and devices.
Reliability definition
If the data is trustworthy
Validity definition
The results that you have collected are insufficient in number and/or depth for the conclusions that you make to be relatable and scaled up to the larger picture.
Representation definition
Whether your project has sufficient integrity to be asking the right questions.
Accuracy definition
For the data to be reliable, the variation within the values must be small. However, there is always some variation in any set of measurement, whatever is being measured.
Reasons for the location of fieldwork enquiry - Cromer beach
-only 2.5 hours from school - allows us to conduct research and travel in the same day
-easily accessible beach - within distance of the coach park
-The North Norfolk coast is eroding at a rapid rate of 1-2ms per year as it is composed of glacial till - we can see coastal erosion take place.
-beach had a number of groynes - we can compare them
-tide went out during the day - we can walk on the beach
Enquiry question
To explore the impact of coastal processes on Cromer beach
Hypotheses to talk about
1: The size of the sediment on Cromer beach gets larger and rounder towards the top of the beach, nearer to the cliff
2: The pebble section of the beach has a higher profile than the sandy section
3: the closer to Cromer Pier the more effective the groyne
1 data collection - sampling
-primary data
-quantitative
-systematic + random
1 data collection - equipment
-quadrat
-Vernier caliper
-50m tape measure
1 data collection- error
-Could’ve purposely picked up certain rocks(bias)
-could’ve been measure inaccurately
-didn’t have a measuring tape to measure out 5m on the day
-was very cold on the day, so some results could have been made up
1 data collection - design
- At intervals of 5 metres along the transect, throw the quadrat on the beach.
- Using the quadrat select 5 pebbles (one in each corner and one from the middle).
- Measure the length of the longest axis in mms of each pebble using callipers
- Also compare each selected pebble to the Powers scale of roundness and give it a rating 1-12.
- If the material is too small to measure, record it as sand.
- Repeat this process every 5 metres along the transect.
1 Data presentation - type
Plotted a graph of distance up the beach in the x axis, against the size of rocks in the y-axis
1 Data presentation - results
-On average, there are smaller sediment closer to the sea. Nearer the coast, the sediment was larger.
-Lot of anomalies but there was still a general trend
1 Data presentation - potential improvements
-plot one graph on the length of the pebble and another on how round and angular the pebbles are along the beach transect. The two graphs can be placed one above the other, to aid comparison.
-This shows the results more accurately as we don’t need to take the average of their angularity and size to plot one graph
1 Data analysis - improvements
-The two graphs (length/ angularity) can be placed one above the other, to aid comparison.
1 Data analysis - conclusion
There is a correlation between the size of the sediment and its location along the beach. On average, there are smaller and less rounded sediment closer to the sea and nearer the coast, there sediment was larger and more rounded.
2 Data collection - sampling
-primary data
-quantitative
-systematic
2 Data collection - equipment
-50 metres tape measure
-ranging poles x2
-Clinometer
2 Data collection - error
-Inaccurate clinometer, potentially not held level to the pole
-Variation of data depending on how accurate people were collecting data
-tape measure was not taut
-it was very windy and rainy, so data collection was rushed
2 Data collection - design
- Lay tape measure perpendicular to the beach from the cliff to the sea. Put the first ranging pole at the low tide mark.
- One student holds the first pole vertically
- A second student will be held vertically 5m from the first point.
- The student holding the first pole holds clinometer at a marked height and lines it up with the same level on the second pole. Read and record the angle.
- Repeat this process for each break in slope that you have identified until you reach the end of the transect.
2 Data presentation - graph
Beach profile graph shows the cross section of the beach
2 Data presentation - pros of beach profile graph
-can clearly see the change in height difference at various points
2 Data presentation - cons of beach profile graph
-the line is jagged as there are few points
-through this, we miss crucial points of information between points
-next time, we should take measurements every 1 meter to make it more accurate
-Variation of data as different people were collecting data from the clinometer and recording readings accurately
2 Data presentation - potential improvements
-we made a separate graph for each groyne, instead, we could put all the data in on graph and make each cross section translucent and a different colour to differentiate between them
2 Data analysis - improvements
-With graph that shows all 3 groynes, it is easier to see the differences between them
-if we took more intervals, the graph would be smoother, so we could see fluctuations in the profile. This could tell us more about the beach and how sediment is deposited.
2 Data analysis - conclusion
The pebble section of the beach has a higher profile than the sandy section of the beach. There is a gentle increase in the angles of the slope up the beach, with the pebblier section of the beach being steeper than the sandy part
3 Data collection - type, pros, cons
-For each groyne 4,5, and 6, we created a bi-polar analysis to determine a groynes’ protection against erosion, how much sediment could escape through gaps in the planks, and deterioration
-Pros: We could see which groynes were in what condition
-Cons: subjective to the observer, and different students could have different opinions
3 Data presentation - type, pros, cons
Presented it as a radar diagram
Pros:
-clear to see which groynes fulfill the most conditions and are superior as their area on the diagram is larger
Cons:
-potentially confusing as colours overlap
3 Data presentation - conclusion
-Groyne 4 is average on most things, but is most positive on the fact that it is attached land end, so water and sediment cannot pass through
-Groyne 5 has the best score out of all of them and covers the largest area
-Groyne 6 has the smallest area on the radar diagram, so it fulfills the least requirements
