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Year 10 - Geography

Collecting human geographical data

Fieldwork investigation

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about fieldwork, an important assessment component at GCSE. Pupils will learn about the six stages of enquiry (formulating a question; collecting, presenting and analysing data; and writing conclusions and an evaluation). Pupils will also consider four field study options.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use questionnaires and surveys to collect a variety of human geographical data.

Key Notes

  • Geographers can collect lots of different types of data during fieldwork.
  • Questionnaires can be used to measure people's opinions.
  • Specific surveys can be used to measure activity in, and the quality of, a settlement.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • primary data: data that is collected in person during fieldwork
  • secondary data: data that has previously been collected by someone, usually unknown to the person doing the fieldwork
  • quantitative: data that is made up of numbers
  • qualitative: data that is made up of text

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Secondary data has to be collected by geographical experts.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

Geographers can collect lots of different types of data during fieldwork. Questionnaires can be used to measure people's opinions.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'primary data'

data that is collected in person during fieldwork.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Secondary data has to be collected by geographical experts. Correction: Secondary data is often collected by experts or professional geographers but it can also be the data collected by other students in a different time frame.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 Geography guide library.