Paper 4 - Alternative to Coursework
Candidates answer two compulsory questions, completing a series of written tasks based on the three themes (see section 4). The questions involve an appreciation of a range of techniques used in fieldwork studies. Questions test the methodology of questionnaires, observation, counts, measurement techniques, and may involve developing hypotheses appropriate to specific topics. The processing, presentation and analysis of data will be tested. (60 marks)
This paper will last 1 hour 30 minutes and make up 27.5% of your final grade. |
Paper 4 Summary Notes | |
File Size: | 64 kb |
File Type: |
Past Papers
june 2012june 2011JUNE 2010 |
november 2012nOVEMBER 2011NOVEMBER 2010 |
REVISION NOTES
INTRODUCTION
Formulating aims and hypotheses
A hypothesis is a prediction or statement that you make before you collect any data. Normally this will be based on theory e.g. 'A CBD has the highest concentration of comparison shops.' During your investigation you will attempt to prove or disprove your hypothesis. You do this by collecting relevant data, analysing it and drawing conclusion.
A hypothesis should always be SMART. If your hypotheses are not SMART then it can be impossible to prove or disprove them.
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-related
DATA COLLECTION
The main aim when collecting data is to be as objective as you can, this means that your results are not biased or influenced by personal opinion.
Objective: This is when data collection is not influenced by people's personal opinion. This is very hard to achieve because even the design of data collection forms are influenced by people's opinion. However, it is possible to try be as objective as possible by following a sampling technique, collecting data in groups and following the methodology closely.
Subjective: This is when your personal opinion has an influence on the outcome of the data collection. Everyone has personal bias, so this is not necessarily bad, but you should recognise this in your methodology and evaluation.
You can use a variety of primary and secondary data. A combination of the two is often preferred as it means that you will have data which you have collected firsthand, as well as data which has been collected on a large scale.
Primary data: Any data that is personally collected by you (this does not mean collecting off the internet). Primary data may include traffic counts, pedestrian counts, environmental indexes, questionnaires or land use surveys.
Secondary data: Any data that has been collected by someone else. Secondary data collection maybe found in books, on the internet, in academic journals, etc. Probably the most useful secondary data is census data. A census is a survey which is carried out in the majority of countries every 10 years. It is a detailed survey that is compulsory for everyone to fill in.
Formulating aims and hypotheses
A hypothesis is a prediction or statement that you make before you collect any data. Normally this will be based on theory e.g. 'A CBD has the highest concentration of comparison shops.' During your investigation you will attempt to prove or disprove your hypothesis. You do this by collecting relevant data, analysing it and drawing conclusion.
A hypothesis should always be SMART. If your hypotheses are not SMART then it can be impossible to prove or disprove them.
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-related
DATA COLLECTION
The main aim when collecting data is to be as objective as you can, this means that your results are not biased or influenced by personal opinion.
Objective: This is when data collection is not influenced by people's personal opinion. This is very hard to achieve because even the design of data collection forms are influenced by people's opinion. However, it is possible to try be as objective as possible by following a sampling technique, collecting data in groups and following the methodology closely.
Subjective: This is when your personal opinion has an influence on the outcome of the data collection. Everyone has personal bias, so this is not necessarily bad, but you should recognise this in your methodology and evaluation.
You can use a variety of primary and secondary data. A combination of the two is often preferred as it means that you will have data which you have collected firsthand, as well as data which has been collected on a large scale.
Primary data: Any data that is personally collected by you (this does not mean collecting off the internet). Primary data may include traffic counts, pedestrian counts, environmental indexes, questionnaires or land use surveys.
Secondary data: Any data that has been collected by someone else. Secondary data collection maybe found in books, on the internet, in academic journals, etc. Probably the most useful secondary data is census data. A census is a survey which is carried out in the majority of countries every 10 years. It is a detailed survey that is compulsory for everyone to fill in.
PRIMARY DATA
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SECONDARY DATA
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