Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography A (1GA0) · Spec 7 and 7B
Fieldwork: change in rural settlements
Read the notes, then try the questions. Each one is marked the moment you press Check, and shows the right answer and why.
Key ideas
- Quantitative methods give numbers, such as traffic counts and pedestrian counts. Qualitative methods give opinions or descriptions, such as interviews.
- A proportional flow map is a technique for presenting data, not for collecting it.
- A limitation of a method is about the technique itself. For a traffic count, fast vehicles may be missed, so the count is too low.
- A good conclusion links your data to the enquiry. For example, mostly older respondents fits young adults leaving.
- Weigh up whether a change is positive using data and explain the effect on people and the environment.
Key terms
- Quantitative
- Data in the form of numbers.
- Qualitative
- Data in the form of descriptions or opinions.
- Traffic count
- Counting vehicles at timed intervals.
- Questionnaire
- A set of questions asked to people.
- Limitation
- A weakness of a method.
Common mistakes
- Calling a pedestrian count qualitative. It measures flow as numbers.
- Giving a problem with the location as a limitation of the method. The limitation must be about the technique.
- Ending with 'it went well'. A conclusion needs a pattern and a reason.
Exam tip
Section B on Paper 3 asks for urban or rural. The 8-marker is worth 4 marks for AO3 and 4 for AO4, so use your own fieldwork detail.
Free practice questions
6 questions, 9 marks. Answer, then press Check. The marking guide explains how the marks are worked out. Nothing is saved.
- Question 1 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which of these is a technique for presenting fieldwork data, not for collecting it?
- Question 2 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which is the best conclusion to an enquiry into change in a rural settlement?
- Question 3 · Choose more than one[2 marks]
Which TWO of these are quantitative methods for investigating change in a rural settlement?
Choose 2.
- Question 4 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
A pupil used a traffic count in a village. Which statement is a limitation of the method itself?
- Question 5 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
A pedestrian count in a village centre is best described as which type of method?
- Question 6 · True or false[3 marks]
Decide whether each statement about analysing fieldwork results is true or false.
1. A positive trend on a scattergraph proves the hypothesis.
2. An anomaly is a result that does not fit the general pattern.
3. The range is the highest value minus the lowest value.