Skills 2

Question 1

Explain the geographical theory/ process that underpinned your fieldwork enquiry.

Answer 1

The concentric zone model shoes a simplified plan of a city, of which quality of life increases as you move from the CBD to the outer suburbs.
-CBD
-Inner City
-Suburbs
-Rural
To test this we visited two contrasting locations; inner city Aston, Birmingham and Knowle, a town in South east of the West-Midlands, near Solihull.

Question 2

State the aim of your investigation.

Answer 2

To test the concentric zone theory and see how quality of life differs between the inner city and outer suburbs.

Question 3

Describe one method of data collection you used.

Answer 3

To rate the quality of life we used a bi-polar survey on our primary data collection, as the results can be subjective.
We numbered the streets in each area and used a random number generator to select streets, then assessed each one on factors including social deviance, traffic levels and access to services. We rated each category on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being good, e.g. lots of services and 1 being poor, high levels of social deviance.

Question 4

Describe the location of your fieldwork and why this was a suitable site.

Answer 4

Aston is an area of the inner city of Birmingham and Knowle is commuter town near Solihull in the West Midlands. Both locations were suitable as they were at opposite parts of the concentric zone model to allowed comparison. The locations were not far away and easy to access by the m6 and train links. It was non-expensive to carry out the fieldwork and relatively safe. Testing from these two areas will be relevant and valid.

Question 5

How did you respond to risks associated with your primary data collection?

Answer 5

• We walked around the areas and assessed sites in groups of 3.
• before undertaking the fieldwork we conducted a preliminary visit to familiarise ourselves with the area and make sure there were no major risks.

Question 6

Using specific examples from your fieldwork, describe the risk assessment you undertook in relation to your enquiry.

Answer 6

• We went to an area we knew.
• We toured the area in the minibuses before to familiarise ourselves with the area.
• We set a meeting point to return to if you had troubles
• we went around in groups of at least 3.
• we were briefed on social responsibilities such as keeping noise levels down and not being invasive around people’s homes.
• we wore appropriate clothing for work in winter
• we had an emergency contact number
• discreet and sensitive with the data

Question 7

Describe one method of primary data collection used in this investigation.

Answer 7

To assess quality of life we used a bi-polar survey.
We first took a random sample of 10 streets in each area, and walked along each street assessing quality of life indications. At the end of each street we would score each indicator based on our judgement. A higher score indicated a better quality of life, we rated form 1-10

Question 8

Discuss the limitations of one of your methods of primary data collection.

Answer 8

The traffic count is very dependent on time and day of the week, so may have been very different if we counted at a different time.

Question 9

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of one of your methods of primary data collection.

Answer 9

The bipolar survey is easily comparable, cheap, measures quality of life indicators that directly relate to the theory. It’s easy to collect data.
However the bipolar survey is subjective, people have different views so results can’t be shared and an average should be calculated.

Question 10

With reference to your fieldwork investigation, distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data.

Answer 10

Qualitative data is collecting data such as opinions thoughts and theories, for example we conducted interviews of people living in different areas.
Quantitive data is more objective with numerical facts, such as the traffic count we conducted.

Question 11

Describe one method that you used for the collection of secondary data?

Answer 11

We used the Internet to find house prices of Aston and Knowle at nationalatatistics.com, this is a good indicator of quality of life and the wealth of the residents.

We also conducted interviews.

Question 12

Outline one technique that you used to present results from your data collection.

Answer 12

We presented the data from the bipolar survey on a bar chart, because this method is visually appealing and comparisons can be made. It’s easy to construct and understand.

Question 13

Describe the advantages of a technique that you used to analyse your data.

Answer 13

We used a bar chart to present and analyse the data collected from the bi-polar survey. This technique is simple to construct and visually appealing, making it easy to read and understand for a non-geographer.

Question 14

Making specific reference to your results, suggest how your enquiry could be improved.

Answer 14

• Expand number of locations to recognise anomalies and gain an overall average.
• Use random locations to avoid bias, or use a transect to chose locations.
• Apply concentric zone model to different cities.

Question 15

Drawing upon your findings, explain how your enquiry improved your understanding of the topic.

Answer 15

• Concentric zone model is based on fact, but may not always be applied, further study is needed.
• Model can apply to other cities.
• In smaller towns there is less evidence of the concentric zone model.

Question 16

How far did your findings reflect your expectations at the start of the enquiry?

Answer 16

From previous studies at GCSE, of Havering and Tower Hamlets in London, I expected for the areas closer to the CBD to have a lower quality of life and the suburbs a higher quality of life.
After visiting the sites, our results supported these expectations.

Question 17

With specific reference to your results, summarise the main conclusions of your enquiry,

Answer 17

The quality of life improves with distance from the CBD, applying to Burgess’s concentric zone theory.
Our primary data collection supported the hypothesis, as Aston showed many signs of social deviance, with more graffiti and noise. Terraced houses with no drives and little garden. In Knowle, the houses were detatched with well kept front gardens and there were little signs of social deviance.
Our secondary data also supported the hypothesis, House prices are almost 200% higher in Knowle, so from our results, the concentric zone theory works.

Question 18

Referring to your results, outline the main conclusions of your enquiry and suggest further areas of research.

Answer 18

To make our conclusion more substantial we would take data from more sites by taking a transect across the city, as well as testing other cities