Geographical enquiry process
The process of conducting a geographical investigation, consisting of 6 steps.
Primary sources
Data that is collected by the researcher themselves, such as questionnaires, interviews, and observations.
Secondary sources
Data that is collected by someone else, such as censuses, surveys, and maps.
Aim
The overall goal or objective of the investigation.
Hypothesis
A statement, believed to be true, which is tested during the investigation.
Fieldwork
The practical work conducted in the field to collect data for the investigation.
Data collection methods
The techniques and procedures used to gather data.
Equipment
The tools and instruments used to collect data accurately and reliably.
Processing and presenting data
Organizing and displaying the collected data using graphical and cartographic methods.
Analysing and interpreting data
Examining and making sense of the data to identify patterns, relationships, and anomalies.
Drawing conclusions
Formulating evidence-based conclusions based on the analysis of the data.
Evaluating
Assessing the data collection methods, data collected, and conclusions, and suggesting improvements or extensions to the study.
Health and safety
Identifying and minimizing potential risks involved in fieldwork.
Mitigation strategy
A plan to reduce the effect of identified risks.
Primary measurements
Direct measurements taken by the researcher in the field.
Secondary data
Data that has already been collected by someone else and is used by the researcher.
Accessibility
The ease of accessing the location for data collection.
Geographical factors
Factors related to the geography of the location that are relevant to the aim of the investigation.
Contingency plan
Backup plans in case identified risks materialize.
Tabulate
Organize data in a table format for easier analysis and presentation.
Questionnaire
A set of pre-determined questions used to investigate various issues.
Data collection methods
The techniques and equipment used to collect data during a fieldtrip.
Closed questions
Questions that offer the respondent a fixed range of answers, usually with mutually exclusive options.
Open questions
Questions that allow respondents to present their ideas or perceptions without selecting from predetermined categories.
Likert scales
Scales that allow respondents to rank their attitude or view along a predetermined continuum.
Sampling
The process of selecting a subset of individuals or items from a larger population for study.
Pilot study
A small-scale test of a questionnaire or research method to identify and address any issues or ambiguities.
Bias
Factors that may influence the data collected, such as obtaining a cross-section of the population to avoid over-representation of a distinct group.
Personal questions
Questions of a personal nature, such as income, age, or religion, that should be avoided to maintain privacy and avoid bias.
Relevance
The extent to which questions in a questionnaire capture information relevant to the aim of the study.
Presentation techniques
Different methods used to present data, such as tables, pie charts, and bar charts.
Graphs
Visual representations of data that help analyze and interpret large amounts of values and show correlations.
Conventions
Standard practices or elements in graphing, such as labeling axes, providing units, and using a key if needed.
Correlation
The relationship between two variables, which can be shown in graphs and used to justify hypotheses and conclusions.
Analysing data
The process of describing and interpreting data, including stating the overall pattern, nature of the relationship, figures, anomalies, and referring back to the hypothesis.
Hypothesis
A proposed explanation or prediction that is tested through research and analysis.
Overall pattern
The general trend or direction observed in the data.
Nature of the relationship
The type of connection or association between variables in the data.
Anomalies
Unusual or unexpected data points that deviate from the overall pattern.
Likert Scale
A scale used to measure attitudes or opinions, typically ranging from 1 to 5 or from strongly disagree to strongly agree.
Alternative energy
Energy sources that are not derived from fossil fuels, such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power.
Climate change
The long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases.
Fossil fuels
Non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.
Wind farm
A group of wind turbines used to generate electricity.
Reliability
The degree to which the conclusions drawn from the data are accurate and trustworthy.
Data collection methods
The techniques used to gather information, such as questionnaires or surveys.
Limitations
Constraints or weaknesses in the data or research methods that may affect the validity or generalizability of the conclusions.
Data sample
The subset of individuals or observations included in the data analysis.
Health and Safety
The measures taken to ensure the well-being and protection of individuals during the research process.
Larger sample
Collecting data from a larger group of people to obtain a wider range of opinions and perspectives.
Visit more sites
Gathering data from additional locations to gather more comprehensive information about alternative energy opinions.
Information from local companies
Obtaining data from local alternative energy companies about their sales and product demand.
Land survey
Conducting a survey from a viewpoint or using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to determine the number of wind turbines, farms, and solar panels in the local area.
Method evaluation
Describing and evaluating the method used to collect data for a chosen variable from the table.
Limitations of data
Describing and explaining the limitations of the data collected for a chosen variable from the table.