Fieldwork Design: Hypotheses & Ethical Considerations — A-Level Geography Revision
Revise Fieldwork Design: Hypotheses & Ethical Considerations for A-Level Geography. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel and OCR.
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Go to Quantitative Methods: Statistical Tests & SignificanceWhat is Fieldwork Design: Hypotheses & Ethical Considerations?
This topic covers the essential first steps in conducting geographical research, focusing on how to design a fieldwork investigation. It involves formulating clear research questions and hypotheses, selecting appropriate methods of data collection, and considering the ethical implications of the research. A strong emphasis is placed on justifying the choices made during the design process.
Board notes: A fundamental part of the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) for AQA, Edexcel, and OCR. All boards require students to design and carry out their own fieldwork investigation. The emphasis is on the student's ability to justify their research design and to reflect on the process of conducting research.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
To design a fieldwork investigation into the impact of a new coastal defence scheme, a student would first need to formulate a hypothesis, such as: 'The new sea wall at [location] has reduced the rate of cliff erosion but has increased erosion downdrift'. They would then need to select appropriate methods, such as measuring cliff profiles at regular intervals and conducting beach sediment analysis. Finally, they would need to consider ethical issues, such as obtaining permission to access the site and ensuring their research does not cause any environmental damage.
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Common mistakes
- 1Creating a hypothesis that is descriptive rather than explanatory (e.g., 'The beach gets wider' instead of 'The beach width increases as you move away from the groyne due to the trapping of sediment').
- 2Choosing a sampling strategy that is not appropriate for the research question (e.g., using random sampling when systematic sampling is required).
- 3Failing to identify and mitigate potential ethical issues, such as gaining informed consent or ensuring the anonymity of participants.
Fieldwork Design: Hypotheses & Ethical Considerations exam questions
Exam-style questions for Fieldwork Design: Hypotheses & Ethical Considerations with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Fieldwork Design: Hypotheses & Ethical Considerations
Core concept
This topic covers the essential first steps in conducting geographical research, focusing on how to design a fieldwork investigation. It involves formulating clear research questions and hypotheses, s…
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a research question and a hypothesis?
A research question is a broad question that the research aims to answer. A hypothesis is a specific, testable statement that predicts the relationship between two or more variables.
What is a pilot study?
A pilot study is a small-scale trial of a research project, conducted before the main study. It is used to test the research design, methods, and data collection instruments, and to identify any potential problems.