Geographical Skills and Fieldwork
What this domain tests
Fieldwork questions assess whether you can design a safe, ethical investigation, choose sampling methods, collect reliable data, present results and evaluate limitations. You must link methods to the hypothesis and use accurate units.
Core rules and concepts
- Sampling: random reduces bias; systematic (for example, every 10 m along a transect) covers a gradient; stratified samples within identified groups.
- Repeat measurements and calculate means to improve reliability; identify anomalies and explain them rather than deleting them silently.
- Risk assessment should identify hazards such as deep water, steep slopes, traffic and weather, and give specific controls.
- Data presentation must suit the data: scatter graphs for correlation, bar charts for categories, cross-sections for profiles.
Worked example
A float travels 10 m in 20 s. Surface velocity = 10 ÷ 20 = 0.5 m/s. Because surface water moves faster than the mean flow, apply a correction factor of about 0.85: mean velocity ≈ 0.5 × 0.85 = 0.425 m/s. Reasoning: calculate the raw speed first, then adjust for the float method's bias. Repeat at several points across the channel to capture variation.
Traps that cost marks
Do not claim a sample is random if you chose 'easy' sites. Do not present a mean without showing variation or sample size. Do not forget units such as m/s, cumecs and mm. Do not describe a risk without a control measure.