Topic outline

  • General

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    • "Investigate a Central Business District"

    • For your Controlled Assessment, worth 25% of your GCSE, you will undertake a Local Area Fieldwork Investigation into the Central Business District, CBD, of Stratford, Warwickshire. You will need to plan your surveys and the route that you will take before the fieldtrip day.

      You will need to plan and undertake three surveys on the day. The first will be either Vertical Zoning or Functional Zoning. The second will be either traffic or pedestrian counts with distance from the centre of the CBD. The third survey will be original and should be selected by your group. The choice might be Environmental Quality (Bi-Polar Analysis), Building Height (if you don't select Vertical Zoning), Building Width, Ground Floor Land Uage (if you don't select Functional Zoning), Traffic Calming, Crime Indicators, Public Transport Nodality or a personally designed survey.

      Up to 14 hours will be given to you in Geography lessons, where you will be given access to ICT to plan your Controlled Assessment and to complete Chapters 1-3. The final 6 hours will take place in strict examination conditions in an ICT room, where you will need to produce Chapters 4-5 on your examination account. Full details of times will be given to you by your Geography teacher.

      It is important that you read the list below detailing the requirements of completing your Controlled Assessment by the Exam Board. If any elements are not present from this list you will have marks deducted from your final score.

  • Topic 1

  • Topic 2

    • Chapter 1. Introduction

      • A (detailed) description of where the investigation was undertaken
      • Appropriate maps to show the location of Stratford
      • A description of the theory underpinning your investigation
      • Choose and define a maximum of four key terms/concepts which relate to your investigation. Highlight these key terms/concepts each time they are quoted in your Controlled Assessment
      • An understanding of how the theory works
      • Identification of the hypotheses/questions being tested
      • Explanation of the hypotheses including the geographical theory behind them

    • Commentary

    • You should describe where you undertook your Data Collection, with a reasonably detailed description of the location of Stratford. A number of appropriate maps to locate Stratford, at different scales, should be produced. Remember that all maps should have a title, key, north point and scale (even if it is approximate).

      The two compulsory surveys are (1) Functional Zoning/ Vertical Zoning and (2) Traffic/ Pedestrian Counts with distance from the centre of the CBD. You should then develop a third survey that you have been responsible for plannning and investigating, demonstrating the required element of originality.If you wish to develop your own question you may do so, as long as you can link it to one of the compulsory surveys.

      It is important that you choose and define a maximum of four key terms/concepts in your Introduction. It is highly recommended that you highlight these word/phrases in colour every time they are used in your Controlled Assessment. In this manner you will be able to make links between your Chapters and demonstrate the learning process that has taken place.

      Your three surveys/investigations should be listed as hypotheses/questions that you are testing.You should explain each and link to the geographical theory underpinning them

    • File icon
      Stratford CBD Map File

  • Topic 3

    • Chapter 2. Methodology

      • Each question/hypothesis is listed
      • The aims of each question/hypothesis are explained
      • The sequence of investigation in Stratford is described
      • The methodology for each of the data collection methods is described
      • There is personal justification for using each data collection method
      • You have used and highlighted your key terms/concepts in the Methodology
      • Originality is shown in the planning of each question and the collection of data

    • Method

      Sampling Technique and Sample Size

      Day

      Date

      Time

      Weather

      How was the Data Collected?

      Justification of Methods

      Originality in Methods

    • Commentary

      It is highly recommended that you complete your Methodology in tabulated form. The example above is suitable for use. You should identify three hypotheses which you have tested in Stratford. Each survey should be fully explained in terms of the theory behind it and the methods you employed to collect your data. You should explain the sampling technique employed and note the sample size. The day, date, time and weather conditions should all be recorded, as they may influence your results and be required for reference in your Interpretation later.

      It is important that you note all elements of originality in this section. Whilst Functional Zoning/ Vertical Zoning and Traffic/Pedestrian Counts are compulsory surveys, you and/or your group may have designed personal land use keys, collected your data at different times and locations, employed different collection techniques and may have researched secondary data to support your surveys. The third survey is a personal choice and you should be able to fully justify how and why you have done it. The main purpose is to be able to explain how the independent survey links to either or both of your compulsory surveys and for you to be able to explain these links in the Interpretation.

      Each time you mention any of your key terms/concepts that you have identified in the Introduction you should highlight them in a colour within this section.

    • URL icon
      Where's the Path? Website links for maps URL
    • File icon
      Sampling Techniques File
    • File icon
      Methodology Table File
    • URL icon
      GIS Stratford Map URL

  • Topic 4

  • Topic 5

    • (4) Interpretation and QWC (12 Marks)

      • An accurate description of what the data shows, including anomalies is present
      • Reference is made to specific data
      • Results are analysed in detail, with plausible explanations suggested
      • Links are made between the sets of data collected, discussing the implications that one data set might have on another
      • Decisions and judgements are made that relate to the question/hypothesis
      • Reasons are given for accepting or rejecting the hypothesis. These reasons are supported by evidence
      • Valid conclusions are drawn that relate to the original purpose of the investigation including your key terms/concepts
      • A wide range of specialised terms is employed correctly
      • The text is legible. Ideas are expressed clearly, logically and fluently with accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar

    • Commentary

      You should describe and explain each of your three surveys in this section. Reference should be made to specific locations, times and figures, including percentages. You should analyse each survey by suggesting an explanation for the results you have produced. It is important that you recognise links between your surveys and demonstrate an understanding of how one result helps to explain or influences another. Your personal judgements about the results should relate back to your original hypotheses. Each survey should be summarised with an acceptance or rejection of your original hypothesis, with reasons given.

      Full conclusions should be drawn for each survey, with reference to your key terms/concepts that have been identified throughout your investigation. You should look to employ a wide range of specialist geographical terms and ensure you use accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.

    • File icon
      Data Interpretation Proforma File

  • Topic 6

    • Chapter 5. Evaluation

    • 5) Evaluation (12 Marks)

      • Methods employed are reviewed in terms of the amount collected and any problems encountered in collecting the data
      • The advantages and disadvantages of each data collection method are discussed
      • Suggestions are made for improving the data collection methods employed and the reliability of each approach
      • The accuracy of results is questioned
      • Links are made between the inaccuracy of data and problems with data collection methods
      • Suggestions are made for improving the investigation process to increase the accuracy of results
      • Reasons for conclusions being possibly invalid or wrong are suggested
      • Links are made between any weaknesses in the conclusions and weaknesses in the results or weaknesses in the Methodology
      • Suggestions are made for improving the investigation process to increase the validity of the conclusions
      • You have used your key terms/concepts in the Evaluation

    • Commentary

      You should evaluate your investigation by reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of each data collection method you have employed. You should critically examine the amount collected and summarise the problems you encountered during your data collection. You should then make intelligent suggestions about how you might improve the investigation process and how each survey might be made more reliable.

      You should query the accuracy of your results and make links between any inaccurate data you feel you have and any problems with your data collection methods. Suggestions should be made about how you might improve the investigation process to increase the accuracy of your results.

      You should suggest reasons why your conclusions are possibly wrong or invalid. In particular you should make links between any weaknesses in the conclusions and weaknesses in either your results or data collection methods. Suggestions shoud be made about how you might improve the investigation process to increase the validity of your conclusions.

      If you make reference to any of your key terms/concepts you have identified throughout your investigation it is important that these are highlghted.

      Advised word limit for Chapters 4-5= 1200 words

  • Topic 7