Fieldwork Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is the title of the physical fieldwork enquiry for Walton-on-the-Naze?
How effective is the coastal management at Walton-on-the-Naze?
Where is Walton-on-the-Naze located?
Walton-on-the-Naze is a small town in Essex, England, on the North Sea coast.
Why was Walton-on-the-Naze suitable for the investigation?
It has a public access beach with a managed section and an unmanaged section very close together, allowing for easy comparison within a day.
What was the purpose of the bipolar analysis in the investigation?
To grade 6 categories around the effectiveness of beach management (e.g., aesthetic, quality, lifespan) and score them from 3 to -3 for easy analysis and comparison.
What method was used to measure the shape of the beach in the investigation?
A beach profile using a clinometer to measure the angle of the beach every 1m at both the managed and unmanaged sections.
What was the purpose of the field sketch in the investigation?
To note the management in place, evidence of erosion, and the effectiveness of management at both the managed and unmanaged sections of the beach.
What were the 3 ways we collected primary data?
bipolar analysis, beach profile and field sketch
What were the limitations of this location?
Only one small section of coastline was visited
What were the risks?
- Drowning 2. Rock falls from slumping cliffs
How were these risks reduced?
- Stay away from the water 2. Stay away from cliffs
Why was the bipolar analysis reliable and accurate in the investigation?
It allowed for quick and easy data collection, providing quantitative data to analyse the effectiveness of both groynes and the sea wall.
Why were the measurements used in the beach profile method reliable and accurate?
The measurements were objective, taken every 1m, providing a clear understanding of the shape of the beach.
How did the field sketch contribute to the reliability and accuracy of the investigation?
It ensured careful observation of features and processes that might not have been seen in photographs, providing a more comprehensive analysis.
Why was the bipolar analysis not reliable and accurate in the investigation?
Scores were based on personal opinion, leading to potential bias. Some categories, like lifespan, were difficult to score without more information.
Why were the clinometer readings not reliable and accurate?
The bright sunlight affected readings, and it was the first time using the clinometers, which could have led to human error.
Why was the field sketch not fully reliable and accurate?
It only provided a snapshot of one moment in time, and beaches can change very quickly.
What sampling method was used for the beach profile measurements?
Systematic sampling – the angle of the beach was measured every 1m up the beach, providing good coverage without bias.
What sampling method was used to compare the managed and unmanaged beach?
Stratified sampling – 2 pre-selected sites to see the difference between the managed and unmanaged beach.
What is a potential limitation of the systematic sampling used for the beach profile?
Key information, such as a dip in the sand between two points, may have been missed.
What data presentation method was used for the bipolar analysis of the groynes and sea wall?
The bipolar analysis was plotted on a radar graph for both the groynes and sea wall.
How was the beach profile data presented?
A cross section of the beach was plotted onto a graph, comparing the managed and unmanaged profiles.
How did the radar graph help interpret the data for the bipolar analysis?
It made it easy to compare the two types of management and different categories, providing clear visual insights.
How did the cross-section graph help interpret the beach profile data?
It gave a clear understanding of the beach shape at both the managed and unmanaged sites, allowing for an easy comparison on one graph.
What is a disadvantage of using the radar graph for bipolar analysis?
its bias
