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Make sense of fieldwork

Follow the enquiry. Explain why a method fits, what the data show and what could affect the conclusion.

An imagined clear river curving around a gravel bar in a green upland valley.

  1. Question

    Decide what relationship or difference you want to investigate.

  2. Plan

    Choose sites, variables, sampling and safe methods that suit the question.

  3. Collect

    Record measurements or observations consistently.

  4. Present

    Choose a map, graph or table that makes relevant patterns clear.

  5. Analyse

    Describe patterns, calculate useful summaries and consider explanations.

  6. Conclude and evaluate

    Answer the enquiry question, using the evidence. Explain how methods and data affect confidence in the conclusion.

Try a fictional enquiry

Separate the stages

Which action collects primary data?

First attempt We drew a bar chart.

Choose the best improvement.

Which action presents data?

First attempt We asked people questions.

Choose the best improvement.

Why might a bus-station survey be biased?

First attempt We only asked 40 people.

Choose the best improvement.

What does a miscalibrated ruler affect?

First attempt Our numbers might be bad.

Choose the best improvement.

What can repeats help you assess?

First attempt More data makes everything true.

Choose the best improvement.

What should you check before using Census data?

First attempt It comes from the internet.

Choose the best improvement.

How should you develop a limitation?

First attempt The sample was small.

Choose the best improvement.

Why choose a bar chart for travel-mode counts?

First attempt It looks nice.

Choose the best improvement.

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Review your school fieldwork

Recall your actual question, sites, methods and findings. Explain why each choice suited the enquiry, then trace one limitation through to its conclusion.

Use your own fieldwork experience and follow your teacher’s rules for assessed work.