Skills Part 2

Question 1

State the aim of your investigation and describe one method of data collection with the aim. (6)

Answer 1

• Aim - to compare quality of life in an inner city area (Aston) and a commuter town (Knowle)
• Primary data through bipolar survey
• Chose sample streets at random (number generator and grid
• Quality of life indicators: noise, social deviance, traffic
• Rated between 1-10
• Calculated an average over the streets

Question 2

Describe the advantages of your chosen location for the fieldwork enquiry. (4)

Answer 2

• Easily accessible: motorway, train, bus
• Excellent contrast
• Safe
• Lots of residential streets
• Close together so can complete in a day

Question 3

Using specific examples from your fieldwork, describe the risk assessment you undertook in relation to your enquiry. (6)

Answer 3

• Drove around area to familiarise
• Used street view to further familiarise
• Stayed in groups
• Mobile contact numbers
• Predesignated meeting point and time
• High visibility jackets
• Daylight hours

Question 4

Describe one method of primary data collection used in this investigation. (5)

Answer 4

• Primary data of quality of life indicators
• Through bipolar survey
• Scale 1-10, 1 bad 10 good
• Stood on street and assessed
• Surveyed more than one street
• Calculated a mean score for all streets

Question 5

Describe the strengths and weaknesses of one of your methods of primary data collection. (6)

Answer 5

BIPOLAR SURVEY
STRENGTHS 
• Quick 
• Easy to repeat 
• Simple data
• No equipment
WEAKNESSES
• Certain QOL indicators may be dependant on time of day
• May cause upset to people
• Invades privacy

Question 6

With reference to your fieldwork investigation, distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data. (3)

Answer 6

• Qualitative - opinions and perspectives, like interviews with local people
• Quantitative - data that is numerical and you can measure, like bipolar survey or traffic count

Question 7

Outline and justify one method of data collection that you used in your enquiry. (6)

Answer 7

OUTLINE
• Bipolar survey 
• With 1-10 score of QOL indicators
• Random streets 
• Calculate mean
JUSTIFY
• QOL indicators allowed us to compare the two areas' QOL
• Justify theory/ confirm hypothesis
• Method of testing concentric model

Question 8

Outline how you obtained and why you used secondary data in your enquiry. (5)

Answer 8

• House prices on zoopla
• Housing is one of best indicators of wealth
• National statistics/ census for crime rates and other QOL indicators
• Allows comparison between areas
• To justify hypothesis

Question 9

Describe a sampling technique you used to collect data. (5)

Answer 9

• Grid over map with 100 squares
• Os map 1:25000
• Number grid
• Random number generator
• Repeat for second location

Question 10

Describe the advantages of a technique that you used to analyse your data. (5)

Answer 10

• Bar chart
• Allows averages to be calculated between streets
• Easy to understand comparisons
• EVEN BY A NON-GEOGRAPHER
• Individual indicators of development can be compared

Question 11

Making specific reference to your results, suggest tell your enquiry could be improved. (5)

Answer 11

• Sample more streets
• Choose more than one urban and commuter areas
• Some areas break the rule which you may have missed
• Only comparing two areas isn’t enough
• Potentially include more QOL indicators

Question 12

Drawing upon your findings, explain how your enquiry improve your understanding of the topic. (8)

Answer 12

• Describe Burgess concentric model
• Hoyt model
• Look at more places to further understanding
• Improved understanding and real life application of models
• Improved data collection
• Improved Risk assessments
• Improved data analysis

Question 13

Explain the geographical process or theory that underpinned your fieldwork enquiry. (4)

Answer 13

• Burgess’ concentric model
• Draw and annotate
• Quality of life improves further from CBD
• We looked at Aston (inner city), Knowle (commuter)

Question 14

Referring to your results, outline the main conclusions of your enquiry and suggest further areas of research. (8)

Answer 14

• Burgess concentric model
• QOL improves with distance from CBD
• Results - QOL does improve with distance - from primary data (QOL indicators) - valid
• Secondary data also matched this - House price - valid
• Model is correct/accurate - link back to hypothesis
• Improvement - transect along city
• Improvement - more streets in area
• Improvement - look at other cities (with varying population and size)