Fieldwork: questions, hypotheses and risk

Your two enquiries

For your GCSE, you carry out , in contrasting environments:

one physical, such as a river or a coast;
one human, such as a town centre or a village;
at least one shows how physical and human geography interact.

In Paper 3 you answer questions on them, and on in the paper. An enquiry has six stages:

questions, hypotheses and risk;
collecting data;
presenting data;
analysing data;
drawing conclusions;
evaluating.

Key terms

Questions and hypotheses

An enquiry starts with a question that can be answered with data you can collect. Often it is a : a statement you test, true or false.

Good hypotheses are based on theory: what geographers expect, from models and ideas you have learnt.

Two examples written for this app:

Physical: "River velocity increases downstream." Theory: downstream, a river has more water and a smoother, deeper channel, so less energy is lost to friction.
Human: "Environmental quality improves with distance from a town centre." Theory: centres have more traffic, noise and litter; outer areas have more green space.

Choose locations where you can test the hypothesis safely and get enough data.

Key terms

Sources and risk assessment

help you plan: maps, aerial photos, census data and earlier studies, to choose sites and to compare your results later.

A lists the hazards, how likely and serious each is, and how to reduce them:

Hazard	How to reduce the risk
River: deep or fast water	Only enter shallow water; check the forecast; work in groups
River: slippery rocks	Wear wellies with grip; move carefully
Town: traffic	Stay on pavements; cross at crossings
Town: getting lost or separated	Work in groups; carry a phone and a map

Exam tip

When asked about risk, name the hazard, then say how you reduced it.

Key terms

Exam practice

Plan your own answer first, then open the model answers to see what each level looks like.

6 marks · about 6 minutes

For one of your fieldwork enquiries, explain why your question or hypothesis was suitable for investigation.

Explain means: Give the reasons why something happens, developing each point with "because" or "so".

Level 1 (Basic)· 2/6 marks (band 1–2)

Our hypothesis was "River velocity increases downstream". It was a good hypothesis because we could test it at a river.

Why this level: States a hypothesis, but "good" isn't explained: no theory, data or location. To reach Level 2: explain the theory behind it and how it could be tested with data you could collect. In the exam, use the details of your own enquiry.

Level 2 (Clear)· 4/6 marks (band 3–4)

Our hypothesis was "River velocity increases downstream". It was suitable because it is based on geographical theory: downstream, a river has more water and a deeper, smoother channel, so less energy is lost to friction. We could test it by measuring velocity at sites along the river.

Why this level: Clear link to theory and to measurable data. To reach Level 3: also justify the location, including safety and access, and how it gave enough data to see a pattern. In the exam, use the details of your own enquiry.

Level 3 (Detailed)· 6/6 marks (band 5–6)

Our hypothesis was "River velocity increases downstream". It was suitable because it is based on geographical theory: downstream, a river has more water from tributaries and a wider, deeper, smoother channel, so less energy is lost to friction and the water flows faster. It could be tested with primary data we could collect ourselves: velocity at sites along the river, measured with a float. The river had shallow, safe sites spread along its course, with public access, so we could reach enough sites to see a pattern, and risks such as slipping could be reduced. The hypothesis was also specific, so the results could clearly support or reject it.

Why this level: A detailed justification covering theory, measurable data, a safe and suitable location and a testable hypothesis. This is Level 3. In the exam, use the details of your own enquiry.

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