Geography · GCSE · AQA · AQA GCSE Geography (8035) · Specification point · 3.3.2 · Geographical applications
3.3.2 Section B: Fieldwork
Students need to undertake two geographical enquiries, each of which must include the use of primary data, collected as part of a fieldwork exercise. There should be a clear link between the subject content and geographical enquiries, and the enquiries can be based on any part of the content addressed in units 3.1 and 3.2.
Fieldwork must take place outside the classroom and school grounds on at least two occasions.
The two enquiries must be carried out in contrasting environments and show an understanding of both physical and human geography. In at least one of the enquiries students are expected to show an understanding about the interaction between physical and human geography.
Students’ understanding of the enquiry process will be assessed in the following two ways: 1. questions based on the use of fieldwork materials from an unfamiliar context 2. questions based on students’ individual enquiry work. For these questions students will have to identify the titles of their individual enquiries.
Students will be expected to: 1. apply knowledge and understanding to interpret, analyse and evaluate information and issues related to geographical enquiry 2. select, adapt and use a variety of skills and techniques to investigate questions and issues and communicate findings in relation to geographical enquiry.
| Geographical enquiry strand | Application of knowledge and understanding, and skills |
|---|---|
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The factors that need to be considered when selecting suitable questions/hypotheses for geographical enquiry.
The geographical theory/concept underpinning the enquiry.
Appropriate sources of primary and secondary evidence, including locations for fieldwork.
The potential risks of both human and physical fieldwork and how these risks might be reduced.
| Difference between primary and secondary data. Identification and selection of appropriate physical and human data. Measuring and recording data using different sampling methods. Description and justification of data collection methods. |
| Appreciation that a range of visual, graphical and cartographic methods is available. Selection and accurate use of appropriate presentation methods. Description, explanation and adaptation of presentation methods |
| Description, analysis and explanation of the results of fieldwork data. Establish links between data sets. Use appropriate statistical techniques. Identification of anomalies in fieldwork data. |
| Draw evidenced conclusions in relation to original aims of the enquiry. |
| Identification of problems of data collection methods. Identification of limitations of data collected. Suggestions for other data that might be useful. Extent to which conclusions were reliable. |
Fieldwork is an essential aspect of geography. It ensures that students are given the opportunity to consolidate and extend their geographical understanding by relating learning to real experiences of the world.