Stage 3 Flashcards Preview

A2 Geography - Geographical Skills > Stage 3 > Flashcards

Flashcards in Stage 3 Deck (58)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What are the two options on type of data?

A
  1. Primary v. secondary

2. Qualitative v. quantitative

2
Q

Define primary data

A

new data which has not previously been collected or processed

3
Q

Give two examples of primary data.

A
  1. Fieldwork data
  2. Documents which have not been processes or analysed in any way e.g. census data, rainfall records, historic maps, historic data which has not been analysed
4
Q

What are the two stages of data collection through fieldwork?

A
  1. Observation

2. Measurements

5
Q

Data collection through fieldwork ;

Name 4 methods of observation?

A
  1. Field sketches
  2. Oblique photographs
  3. Classification (e.g. recording land use/shop type into categories)
  4. Quantifying observations (e.g. environmental impact assessments, judging pebble roundness)
6
Q

Data collection through fieldwork ;

Name methods to perform measurements

A
Measurements made using standard instruments. This includes; 
1. ranging poles 
2. quadrats 
3. metre rulers 
4. tape measures 
5. clinometers 
6. flow meters 
7. thermometers 
8. anemometers 
9. compasses 
10. pH measuring kit 
11. measuring callipers 
(see p.24)
7
Q

Define secondary data

A

data from published sources which have been processed or analysed

8
Q

Give 3 examples of secondary data

A
  1. articles/ newspaper reports
  2. published maps
  3. charts and diagrams
9
Q

Give the 5 types of secondary data most commonly used in geographical investigations.

A
  1. Topographic maps
  2. Other map types
  3. Historical photographs/ picture scales
  4. Census data
  5. Geodemographic data
10
Q

Types of secondary data ;

What is a topographic map?

A

detailed maps showing both human and physical features on the earth’s surface

(Ordanance Survey) maps at a range of scales. 
o	1:50 000
o	1:25 000
o	1:10 000
o	1:2 500
11
Q

Types of secondary data ;

What other types of maps are commonly used?

A
  1. GOAD maps - detailed street maps including individual buildings and their uses
  2. Geology - maps showing rock type
12
Q

Types of secondary data ;

Why are historic photograph/ picture scales used?

A

Because they are useful for comparing with up-to-date photographs in order to analyse change over time.

13
Q

Types of secondary data ;

What is census data and how is it used?

A
  • UK consensus taken every 10 years since 1801
  • Collects data on population, occupation, educational qualifications, religion, household type and facilities
  • Data is available online at different scales
14
Q

Types of secondary data ;

What is geodemographic data and how is it used?

A
  • Geodemographic data is a branch of market research that assigns the attributes of small areas
  • e.g • Developed by ACORN and based on postcodes = every one of 1.75 million postcodes has been categorised into groups to show how socioeconomic information (e.g. healthcare, crime levels, employment) varies
15
Q

What are the advantages of primary data?

A
  1. The exact location where data was collected is known
  2. It is easier to assess the reliability of the data because the number of samples taken and the sampling strategy used is known
  3. It is easier to assess the accuracy of the data because the equipment which has been used and the level of expertise of the researcher is known
  4. The exact conditions (e.g. weather) which could affect the accuracy of the data is know
16
Q

What are the disadvantages of primary data?

A
  1. Only collected on one day = limited number of samples taken
  2. Possible inaccuracy and unreliability problems due to lack of experience in data collection and investigation planning
17
Q

What are the advantages of secondary data?

A
  1. Official data would have been collected using sophisticated instruments and by an experienced researcher = more accurate
  2. The data may have been collected over a longer period of time = more reliable and can be used to analyse changes over time
  3. Data may have been collected over a wider area = more reliable
18
Q

What are the disadvantages of secondary data?

A
  1. The exact site of data collection may not be known
  2. The site where data was collected may not be exactly the same as where primary data was collected = should not be used for direct comparison
  3. The accuracy of the data collection methods is unknown
  4. The reliability of the data collection methods is unknown if details of sampling techniques are not included in publication
19
Q

Why are questionnaires valuable to use?

A

Because they provide up-to-date data not available from secondary sources as well as what people think. Properly structured, a questionnaire can provide good, relevant data that can be further analysed statistically.

20
Q

What are the 7 stages of devising questionnaire?

A
  1. Establish a purpose
  2. Exploratory survey
  3. Identify the population
  4. Design the questionaire
  5. Pilot study
  6. Data collection
  7. Analysis
21
Q

Devising a questionnaire;

What questions should you ask yourself when ‘establishing a purpose’ ?

A
  • issue

- background

22
Q

Devising a questionnaire;

What does creating a ‘exploratory survey’ entail?

A

interview a few people using open questions (e.g. ‘why did you come to this area’)

This helps suggest categories to use in final questionnaire

23
Q

Devising a questionnaire;

What does ‘identifying the population’ entail?

A
  • identify the limitations and bias of the sample if total population not used.

Sampling techniques = random,/systematic/stratified

24
Q

Devising a questionnaire;

How do you design a questionnaire?

A
S
M
A
R
T
25
Q

Devising a questionnaire;

Why do you conduct a pilot study?

A

to check for remaining misleading questions (use 5-10% of sample)

26
Q

Devising a questionnaire;

Give examples of data collection?

A
  1. postal
  2. drop and collect
  3. face to face
27
Q

Devising a questionnaire;

What are the stages of analysing a questionnaire?

A

o Classification
o Tabulation
o Presentation
o Statistical analysis

28
Q

Define qualitative data.

A

descriptive data that cannot be measured. Very flexible so many methods can be (and often are) combined.

However, only shows individual’s opinions so cannot be generalised and applied to a wider society.

29
Q

Give 3 examples of data collection techniques.

A
  1. Participant observation
  2. Interviewing
  3. Focus Groups
30
Q

Qualitative data collection techniques;

What is the method for participant observation?

A

Involves spending time with particular communities and participating/observing to gain ‘inside’ understanding.

31
Q

Qualitative data collection techniques;

What are the advantages of participant observation?

A
  1. The researcher gains the trust of those studied by participation in the group. ‘Hidden’ information is often discovered
  2. Researcher sees ‘everyday’ information which may be seen as unimportant initially but turns out to be vital
32
Q

Qualitative data collection techniques;

What are the disadvantages of interviewing?

A
  1. Gaining initial access to community may be difficult
  2. Ethical issues = overt or covert?
  3. Very time consuming
33
Q

Qualitative data collection techniques;

What is the method for interviewing?

A

Normally takes the form of a conversation and is fairly relaxed meaning interviewee may reveal more information than in formal survey. Must be structured (have a set of predetermined questions to ask)

34
Q

Qualitative data collection techniques;

What are the advantages of interviewing?

A
  1. People-orientated and sensitive approach

2. Flexible and easily adapted according to interviewee

35
Q

Qualitative data collection techniques;

What are the disadvantages of interviewing?

A
  1. Easy for researcher to be led away from true aims

2. Requires trained researcher (e.g. good confidence and social skills)

36
Q

Qualitative data collection techniques;

What is the method for focus group research?

Why are they used?

A

Generates an in-depth discussion between a small group of subjects with the researcher observing. Often used for researching issues with conflicting views. Illustrates people’s views and shows how people interact/relate views to each other

37
Q

Qualitative data collection techniques;

What are the advantages of focus group research?

A
  1. Useful follow-up method to further investigate issues raised in methods such as interviewing and participation observation
38
Q

Qualitative data collection techniques;

What are the disadvantages of focus group research?

A
  1. Can be difficult to organise

2. Depends on the characters of the group = some may be more forceful than others

39
Q

Evaluating the use of maps;

Which stages of the geographical investigation can topographic maps be used in?

A

a) Stage 1: providing spatial framework for the investigation
b) Stage 2: providing secondary data information
c) Stage 3: for recording information collected in the field (e.g. location of data collection sites)
d) Stage 4: for presenting information by annotating a section of the map

40
Q

Evaluating the use of maps;

What are the 4 different types of topographic maps? What are they used for?

A

a) 1:50 000 (landranger): used for regional scale investigations (e.g. describing rural settlement patterns)
b) 1:25 000 (pathfinder): used for sub regional scale investigations (e.g. plotting rural land use = shows field boundaries)
c) 1:10 000: used for local scale projects (e.g. recording land use = shows each individual buildings)
d) 1:2 500: used for the smallest scale of investigation (has the largest scale) but only available for urban areas. Able to identify individual house by street/number

41
Q

Evaluating the use of maps;

What are the advantages of using 1:50 000 scale maps?

A

Shows larger area = can see whole location and hazards

42
Q

Evaluating the use of maps;

What are the disadvantages of using 1:50 000 scale maps?

A

Not always enough detailed = more beneficial to use large scale map

43
Q

Evaluating the use of maps;

What are the advantages of using 1:25 000 scale maps?

A

More detailed (larger scale) = can see field boundaries

44
Q

Evaluating the use of maps;

What are the disadvantages of using 1:25 000 scale maps?

A

Could emit a significant factor that will influence the investigation

45
Q

What are GOAD plans?

A
  • Large scale maps of shopping centres and high streets produced in 1980s (regularly updated)
  • Display retailer, type and size of store, and address. Can be used to show how retail space changes over time
  • Useful for investigations of retail spatial distribution and change
46
Q

What are synoptic weather charts?

A
  • Show isobaric pressure and frontal systems. Available from the Met Office
  • Useful for investigations on extreme weather, flooding, etc.
47
Q

Evaluating the use of photographs and field sketches;

What are the three main types of photographs?

A
  1. Published (e.g. internet versus)
  2. Unpublished (e.g. school, oblique = own or peers)
  3. Aerial (e.g. obtained from Google earth)
48
Q

Evaluating the use of photographs and field sketches;

What are the 4 key elements needed for a photograph to be considered useful for a geographical investigation?

A

Photographs and field sketches must have:

  1. Title indicating location and content
  2. Appropriate annotations
  3. Indication of scale (e.g. person/known object or written)
  4. Indication of direction taken
49
Q

Evaluating the use of photographs and field sketches;

How can photographs and field sketches be used in each stage of a geographical investigation?

A

a) Stage 1: providing spatial framework for the investigation
b) Stage 2: providing secondary data information to assist with planning
c) Stage 3: for recording information collected in the field (e.g. location of data collection sites)
d) Stage 4/5/6: for presenting information with annotations and as supporting evidence to explain outcomes. Also show anomalies to explain why results do not fit trend, pattern or expectations

50
Q

Evaluating the use of GIS;

What is GIS?

A
  • GIs is an important application of ICT to aid spatial research/investigations
  • Uses computers to store, organise and present data spatially on maps
  • Data can be located to the exact place on the earth’s surface on a computer generated map
  • Presents data in a set of layers that the user can turn on/off. Different sets of spatial data can be combined on one map = used to compare different spatial data sets to see relationships/trends.
51
Q

Evaluating the use of GIS;

Give 3 examples of GIS?

A
  1. Basic: Google Earth and Google Maps (free to download from the internet)
  2. Mid-range technology: Memory-Map (low cost annual fee)
  3. Advanced: Aegis and ArcMapper (require network licences and training to use)
52
Q

Evaluating the use of GIS;

Name 3 ways GIS can be used.

A
  1. Data collection
  2. Presenting data
  3. Analysing and interpreting data
53
Q

Evaluating the use of GIS;

How can GIS be used in data collection?

A
  • GPS technology linked to Google Earth = used to measure distances or areas accurately in the field and to reduce potential for human error in locating the exact data collection site
  • Data can be logged at the exact location where it was collected (using GPS to locate the precise position where the data was recorded)
  • Accessing secondary data, remote sensing images (satellite images), Google Earth aerial photographs or weather forecasts
54
Q

Evaluating the use of GIS;

How can GIS be used in presenting data?

A
  • Data can be displayed on computer generated maps at precise location = improves accuracy of presentation
  • Maps can be produced and edited to be a good visual aid (e.g. colours and styles)
  • Different data sets can be overlaid in order to demonstrate comparisons of spatial patterns
  • Data can be represented in 3 dimensions = useful to highlight specific patterns/trends
55
Q

Evaluating the use of GIS;

How can GIS be used in analysing and interpreting data?

A
  • Spatial data sets can be easily compared = greater ability to investigate possible correlations
  • Very accurate and allows for exact measurements of distance and area = increases accuracy of analysis
  • Allows researchers to zoom in/out which helps analysis of data
56
Q

Evaluating the use of GIS;

How has GIS been used?

A
  1. Mapping population density over a physical geography map of areas of flood risk
  2. Comparing urban land use with physical geography of the city
  3. Mapping pollution levels over the location of possible pollution sources (e.g. industry)
57
Q

Evaluating the use of GIS;

What are the advantages of using GIS?

A
  1. Accurately locates data on exact place on earth
  2. Can cope with large and varied data
  3. Covers large scale (e.g. global patterns as well as small spatial patterns)
  4. Fast and efficient method to compare spatial patterns
58
Q

Evaluating the use of GIS;

What are the disadvantages of using GIS?

A
  1. High cost of some software packages
  2. Needs skilled researcher = training takes time and is costly
  3. GIS is only as good as the skills of the researcher = potential limited use
  4. Human error in using more complex software packages
  5. Potential for software failures