Physical and Human Gathering techniques

Question 1

Beach-profile analysis methodology

Answer 1

1. Decide on appropriate sampling strategy (systematic)
2. Locate sampling points along beach by visually noting changes in the slope angle and sketch rough profile to indicate sections
3. At each sample point stake it using a ranging pole and take a picture for future reference
4. Use compass to workout orientation of the profile line
5. For each section use Abney level and clinometer to take a bearing, read and record slope angle between points (bearing must be taken at a point on the ranging pole in line with the eye level of the person using the Abney level and clinometer)
6. Measure ground distance of each section and record along with slope angle
7. If appropriate not down any other observations e.g grain size or bedform

Question 2

Beach-profile analysis considerations and limitations

Answer 2

1. Safety - you should be aware of the tides and assess the time you will need to carry out the fieldwork beforehand.
2. Work in groups to carry out several profiles at the same time then share the results
3. To record accurate angle readings the ranging poles should be held straight and not be allowed to sink into the sand
4. User error or lack of familiarity with clinometer can lead to invalid readings
5. Pantometer must be kept vertical when taking readings if you are using one

Question 3

Microclimate analysis methodology

Answer 3

1. Obtain large scale map of the study area
2. Decide on sampling strategy as well as the number and location of sites you will collect data from (systematic sampling would mean the sites would be at regular intervals along a transect e.g to determine whether temperature decreases on moving away from the city centre)
3. Weather variables can be recorded such as temperature using a thermometer, wind speed using a ventimeter or rainfall using a rain gauge at each site
4. You should take measurements frequently and at the same times to ensure fair readings for all sites
5. You can also use a field guide to identify vegetation at each site within a 1m radius if that is relevant to your study

Question 4

Microclimate analysis considerations and limitations

Answer 4

1. To ensure accurate and reliable data the sampling method has to be one that determines the locations to be sampled and the timing and frequency of recordings
2. You need to be familiar with a range of weather instruments to ensure accurate results
3. Digital instruments are more accurate and precise than analogue instruments but only if fully powered and calibrated properly
4. The effect of vegetation and the interception of rain or buildings providing shelter should be noted

Question 5

Pebble analysis methodology

Answer 5

1. Decide on appropriate sampling strategy - quadrats can be used to select samples or alternatively 10 surface pebbles touching your foot could be used
2. At each sample point you should reach down with your index finger extended and select the first pebble it touches
3. Use the callipers, pebbleometer or stone board to measure the long, intermediate and short axes of the pebble. The three axes must be at right angles to each other. Average the length of the axes to give the mean particle size.
4. Record the measurements on a prepared recording sheet
5. If appropriate note down any other observations e.g. grain size or presence of bedforms
6. Repeat the process 10 times per location ensuring that the distance from the bank or shore line in recorded

Question 6

Pebble analysis considerations and limitations

Answer 6

1. Deciding the sampling strategy is very important in reducing subjectivity and increasing validity of results
2. To avoid bias consideration needs to be given to the size of the sample and the method used to select the pebbles
3. The sample size should be large enough to provide an accurate representation of the parent population yet not too large to be unmanageable
4. The use of visual charts such as the powers scale of angularity can be subjective, the cailleux scale of roundness can also be subjective
5. Anything that could affect results should be noted e.g. recent storms

Question 7

Slope analysis methodology

Answer 7

1. Choose appropriate sampling strategy
2. Decide on a line of transect across a field or area of land
3. Use a compass to work out bearing of the transect line
4. Use an OS map to identify the height of start point
5. Take a photo to record start point for future reference
6. Break transect into sections using any identifiable breaks in the slope
7. Sketch rough profile of transect with sections marked on, labelling each section
8. For each section use Abney level and Clinometer to take bearing and record it, making sure the bearing is taken at a point coinciding with eye level of person with clinometer
9. You must aim Abney level and clinometer at the same level on the ranging pole at point B, using stripes as a guide
10. Measure distance between points using tape measure
11. Move first pole to end of second section and repeat the process
12. If appropriate note down any other observations e.g. vegetation cover or soil depth

Question 8

Slope analysis considerations and limitations

Answer 8

1. Ranging poles must be straight
2. User error with clinometer can result in invalid results
3. Pantometer could also be used to step your way up or downhill along the transect - must be held vertically
4. You could use an OS map of area under analysis to check gradient of a slope

Question 9

Soil analysis methodology

Answer 9

1. If there is a steady gradient or underlying geology use systematic sampling, if there’s no gradient random sampling is used
2. If comparing soils from 2 different areas you need to collect sufficient samples for statistical analysis (10 minimum)
3. If looking at soil formation take samples from different depths in a soil profile
4. If looking at quality of soil along a transect then collect samples at a consistent depth
5. To collect data you can measure soil temperature and moistures (temp and moisture probes), soil infiltration rates, pH
6. Collected samples should then be analysed in a lab to identify water content, soil chemistry, bulk density, organic content and texture

Question 10

Soil analysis considerations and limitations

Answer 10

1. Need to know how to use equipment correctly for accurate results
2. Digital instrument more powerful is correctly calibrated and charged
3. Important to consider effects of vegetation and any extreme weather on the soil

Question 11

Stream analysis methodology

Answer 11

1. Choose a stream that is not too deep, shallow, wide, fast or tidal
2. Make sure you can gain easy access to stream (may need to ask permission)
3. Choose a section in the stream that allows for changes e.g. discharge and included other features e.g. tributaries
4. Once you have decided on a suitable section decide on a number of sample points considering the time data gathering will take and how much data needs to be gathered e.g. spearman’s needs at least 10 sets of data
5. Measure channel width - distance from one bank to the other with a tape measure
6. Channel depth - metre stick at regular intervals with thin side facing upstream
7. Bankfull width - horizontal line across stream to measure the max water the channel can hold
8. Bankfull depth - verticle distance between water level and Bankfull width line
9. Flow velocity - using flow meter or a float
10. River discharge

Question 12

Stream analysis considerations and limitations

Answer 12

1. Safety - work in groups and be careful not to slip
2. Wear proper gear to avoid getting wet
3. Should know how to use equipment such as flow meter to avoid inaccurate readings

Question 13

Vegetation analysis methodology

Answer 13

1. Gradient - systematic sampling, flat - random sampling, where vegetation grows in clusters stratified sampling should be used to ensure things don’t get missed out too easily
2. Quadrats can be used an vegetation counted and recorded
3. Transects can also be used and the number of each plant species can be observed and recorded at regular intervals (ranging poles or string can be used)
4. Field guide can be used to identify any unknown plant species

Question 14

Vegetation analysis considerations and limitations

Answer 14

1. Should be carried out where plants are visible and growing
2. Leaves are useful in identifying plants
3. Recorded data can be plotted onto a graph
4. If you are unsure about a plan species take a picture to help identify it later - white paper collar can help to make picture clearer

Question 15

EQS methodology

Answer 15

1. They can be carried out in rural, urban or coastal areas
2. Decide on sampling method
3. Decide on criteria e.g. amount of green space, quality of buildings, litter and choose scale (1 to 5 or -2 - 2)
4. Prepare a copy of the table for each of your sites
5. Do a trial run with two of your sites that contrast each other to check the scores are representative
6. Decide if you or someone else will carry out the survey

Question 16

EQS considerations and limitations

Answer 16

1. Judgments are biased
2. It’s worth comparing the data to other sources like the census or house prices

Question 17

Interview methodology

Answer 17

1. Do background research on the topic, prepare a set of direct but open ended questions, be prepared to ask supplementary questions, have a short simple statement prepared to tell the interviewee what you are doing and why
2. If conducting a street interview decide on you method of sampling. Systematic - every tenth person, random, stratified - target particular age group etc. depending on your study
3. If interviewing a named person write a formal letter including info on your study, length of interview, proposed dates and times and contact details
4. Dress appropriately, act politely, listen carefully and thank them afterwards

Question 18

Interview considerations and limitations

Answer 18

Used in conjunction with other techniques, difficult to carry out statistical analysis if only used on its own

Question 19

Pedestrian and traffic surveys methodology

Answer 19

1. Decide on location and sites
2. Gather data over days, weeks or months during all weathers and times of day to create accurate representation of the area
3. Pedestrian surveys - count number of people that pass by a fixed site during a 15-20 minute period counting people moving in both directions
4. Traffic survey - choose a position with a clear view to the road but not in a distracting area for road users. Count number of vehicles that pass by in a 15-20 min period and record data on a tally sheet

Question 20

Pedestrian and traffic surveys considerations and limitations

Answer 20

1. Time, distance, speed calculation to work out approximate speed of traffic
2. Work in pairs for safety and to efficiently count large volumes of traffic and people

Question 21

Perception studies methodology

Answer 21

1. Investigating how people perceive different things
2. How people perceive space - mental maps and subjective distance
3. How people evaluate their environment - hazard perception, crime levels, residential preference, knowledge of an area, landscape evaluation
4. How people make decisions

Question 22

Questionnaire methodology

Answer 22

1. Decide when and where you are going to conduct the questionnaire
2. Choose sampling strategy
3. Choose the sample size
4. You can conduct a face to deface questionnaire or a drop and collect questionnaire including a letter detailing the questionnaire’s purpose

Question 22

Questionnaire considerations and limitations

Answer 22

Used in conjunction with other techniques such as EQS

Question 23

Rural and urban land-use mapping methodology

Answer 23

1. Decide on area of study and access an appropriate map to record the gathered data
2. Decide on the sampling strategy
3. Walk the chosen area and record the gathered data on your base map using the land-use classification sheet or RICEPOTS classification sheet
4. Take pictures of the various land uses for future reference
5. Use google maps to check rural land use however the view may be out of date
6. Use gathered data to draw a land use map, colour coding and annotating if appropriate. You can compare mapped data to other sources too.

Question 24

Rural land-use mapping considerations and limitations

Answer 24

1. Obtaining appropriate land use maps can be expensive 2. Land use mapping is a long and laborious task 3. May need to ask permission before entering farmland 4. Urban buildings with more than one use can be hard to deal with

Question 25

EQS methodology

Answer 25

1. They can be carried out in rural, urban or coastal areas 2. Decide on sampling method 3. Decide on criteria e.g. amount of green space, quality of buildings, litter and choose scale (1 to 5 or -2 - 2) 4. Prepare a copy of the table for each of your sites 5. Do a trial run with two of your sites that contrast each other to check the scores are representative 6. Decide if you or someone else will carry out the survey