Unit 3 Fieldwork

Question 1

How can the location, area and river studied in your enquiry be described?

Answer 1

Shimna River located in south Co. Down, Ireland.
Source is in Mourne Mountains.
Flows through Tollymore Forest and river mouth is in Newcastle.

Question 2

How can you explain your choice of location for your fieldwork?

Answer 2

Location was local to us, reduced amount of time for travel and allowed use more time for collecting results.

River exhibited many features we wanted to investigate, e.g. change in width, depth, sediment, discharge etc.

River was ideal length.

Access points considering health and safety to reduce risk of traffic were also minimised.

Question 3

What is the order of the 6 steps needed to carry out a geographical enquiry?

Answer 3

Planning
Fieldwork techniques and methods / collecting data
Processing and presenting data
Analysing and interpreting data
Drawing conclusions
Evaluating fieldwork

Question 4

What is the title of your enquiry?

Answer 4

An investigation of how river features change along the long profile of the River Shimna.

Question 5

What is the aim of your enquiry?

Answer 5

To study how river features change along long profile of River Shimna in relation to changes expected in textbook theory.

Question 6

How do your formalise a hypothesis?

Answer 6

Bases on Geographical Theories.
In class studied theory in textbook, used internet resources and maps to formulate 2 hypotheses.

Question 7

What are the 2 hypotheses of your investigation?

Answer 7

1. Width and depth of River Shimna increases with increasing distance downstream.
2. Bedload decreases in size and bedload shoe becomes more rounded with increasing distance downstream.

Question 8

How can you explain the sustainability of one hypothesis you have chosen to investigate your fieldwork aim?

Answer 8

H1 - in terms of width and depth expect more water to be collected as river moves down through drainage basin.

Assume river has greater ability and power to erode bed and banks.

Expect river to become deeper and wider.

Question 9

What are the aspects of how and where the data is collect that need to be considered p before carrying out fieldwork?

Answer 9

What is needed.
Where will data be collected.
How will data be collected.
When will data be collected.
What are risks involved.

Question 10

What 4 methods could be used for data presentation?

Answer 10

Tables
Photographs
Maps
Graphs

Question 11

What does an analysis of data involve?

Answer 11

Finding patterns, relationships, trends and anomalies in data which has been processed and presented in tables / graphs / photos / maps.

Question 12

What is an interpretation?

Answer 12

Explanation or reasons for patterns or trend identified in analysis.
Use geographical theory to help explain reasons for relationships.

Question 13

What is a conclusion?

Answer 13

Decisions drawn about each hypothesis allowing their acceptance or rejection.

Question 14

What is an evaluation?

Answer 14

Reflective section considering limitations of study and possibilities for improvements or further investigation.

Question 15

What is the difference between an analysis and an interpretation?

Answer 15

Analysis is written detailed examination of graph, map or table and should be carried out to establish trends and anomalies in data gathered, include quoted figures and calculations.

Interpretations are explanations or reasons for pattern or trend identified in analysis, may be related to geographical theory or causes.

Question 16

What are 3 potential risks in your fieldwork?

Answer 16

Deep water / fast flowing water
Slippery / uneven surfaces
Traffic / rising tide / steep slopes

Question 17

How is deep water / fast flowing water a risk in your fieldwork?

Answer 17

Losing balance when collecting data could result in being submerged with deep water.

Power of fast flowing water could cause you to be swept away by river current, poses risk of drowning.

Hypothermia from cold water also risk.

Question 18

How is slippery / uneven surfaces / wet moss on rocks water a risk in your fieldwork?

Answer 18

When collecting rock samples this made it easier to slip and lose balance, poses risk of falling and hitting head.

Could cause brain damage or lose consciousness and falling in water could cause drowning.

Question 19

How are steep slopes a risk in your fieldwork?

Answer 19

Steep slopes down to river and steep river banks / unstable banks posed risk of getting cuts or splits exposing blood.

Poses risk of infection, Weil’s disease caused by Leptosira bacteria, if infection mild known as leptospirosis, if develops severe infection known as Weil’s disease, commonly spread through fresh water.

Question 20

How did you reduce these risks from deep water / fast flowing water?

Answer 20

Working in deep or fast flowing water used warm waterproof clothing and waders to reduce risk of hypothermia.

Inflatable buoy attached available so could be thrown to anyone who fell in.

Working in groups ensured further safety as people could hold on to each other when collecting data.

Question 21

How did you reduce these risks from slippery / uneven surfaces / wet moss on rocks?

Answer 21

Water proof boots were worn with strong grips to avoid slipping.

Avoid walking on rocks which you notice exceptionally slippery, e.g. mods and algae visible.

Enter river with gently sloping banks and avoid rocky / uneven places.

Question 22

How did you reduce the risks from steep slopes?

Answer 22

Avoid entry into river with unstable banks and steep slopes.

Try avoid exposing cuts to river water to avoid infection.

Ensure first aid kit is on site so antiseptic cream / plasters and bandages can be applied as soon as possible.

Question 23

What is the difference between primary and secondary data?

Answer 23

Primary data is information you collect yourself at fist hand during fieldwork.
Secondary data is information which has been produced by someone else.

Question 24

What primary data did you collect in your fieldwork?

Answer 24

Width
Depth
Velocity
Gradient
Sediment size
Sediment shape

Question 25

What are some secondary data / sources used in your fieldwork?

Answer 25

The Mournes Ordnance Survey Map 1:50,000 Textbook - CCEA GCSE Geography Internet website - BBC Bitesize / National Geographic Magazine / Geography review / Worldwide magazine Power’s Index Table - Description of Sediment Shape

Question 26

What is quantitative data?

Answer 26

Data collected as numbers.

Question 27

What is an example of quantities data?

Answer 27

Width of river. (Distance if width at each site was measured in metres)

Question 28

What is qualitative data?

Answer 28

Data the often generates descriptive and opinion based results.

Question 29

What is an example of qualitative data?

Answer 29

Sediment shape. (Deciding whether particle was angular or sub-angular)

Question 30

What equipment did you use during your fieldwork?

Answer 30

Measuring tape Flowmeter Stopwatch Ranging poles Clinometer Metre stick Calliper

Question 31

What is the method for measuring the width of the river?

Answer 31

1. Width measure using tape and measure. 2. From one side of channel to another. 3. Hold tape from edge of water at one bank to edge of water at other.

Question 32

What is the method for measuring the depth of the river?

Answer 32

1. Measure depth using metre stick. 2. Divided width by 10 and used that as interval. 3. At mid point of each interval metre stick put down to bed and measured to level of water.

Question 33

What is the method for measuring the velocity of the river?

Answer 33

1. Place flow meter in water at intervals in river. 2. Use stopwatch for 1 minute. 3. Start flow meter which counts number of revolutions per minute. 4. 3 different places across channel. 5. Use chart to convert revaluations to meters per second.

Question 34

What is the method for measuring the gradient of the river?

Answer 34

1. Place ranging poles 10 metres apart. 2. In ground beside river or in river if suitable. 3. Aim clinometer on same point on opposite pole. 4. Depress trigger until dial stops. 5. Release trigger and read degree number on scale.

Question 35

What is the method for measuring the bed-load size and shape of the river?

Answer 35

1. Choose 20 random stones. 2. Use calliper to measure longest side and shortest side. 3. If too large to move use metre stick. 4. Observe angularity of each stone. 5. Compare your observation to powers index chart and classify.

Question 36

What are 5 ways you could use mobile phones for fieldwork purposes?

Answer 36

Apps to transform or label images. Apps to record sounds or images. Apps which locate points from which data is collected. Video apps to record geographical processes. Camera for photos.

Question 37

What must you consider when creating data recording sheets?

Answer 37

Focus on hypothesis and consider what data you need to test them. Create tables that allow you to record data directly.

Question 38

How may Geographical Information Systems be useful in your fieldwork enquiry?

Answer 38

Can be used to map data collected from fieldwork, May help analysis when finding patterns when trying to establish relationships with local area (e.g. Geology - rate of erosion). Establish sampling points to collect data from. Information gathered can be used to reveal areas of recent flooding in order to find locations which should be avoided.

Question 39

What should a good graph have?

Answer 39

Full and appropriate title. Labelling of x and y axes. Units of measurement should be included and should be accurate.

Question 40

What types of graphs could you draw for certain data collected in your fieldwork?

Answer 40

Line graph Scatter graph Bar graph Pie chart

Question 41

In what 6 ways can you analyse data?

Answer 41

Note if relationship is positive or negative. Calculate level of increase or decrease. Quote figures to clarify any pattern or trend you noticed. Identify anything that does not fit trend, e.g. anomalies. If appropriate try to make predictions from patterns seen in data. If possible make connections between data sets such as river depth and velocity.

Question 42

What is a positive linear relationship on a graph?

Answer 42

When both values on x and y axis show an increase.

Question 43

What is a negative linear relationship on a graph?

Answer 43

When values on y axis increase while values on x axis decrease.

Question 44

What is a pattern?

Answer 44

When you attempt to establish a relationship between data values.

Question 45

What is an anomaly?

Answer 45

An exception to an identified pattern or trend.

Question 46

What is an interpretation?

Answer 46

Involves providing reasons or explanations for patterns / trends identified in analysis. Should also explain anomalies. Should refer to geographical theory and local theory.

Question 47

What is the title for a graph for hypothesis 1?

Answer 47

A line graph showing changes in river width with increasing distance downstream from the source.

Question 48

What is the analysis from the graph for hypothesis 1?

Answer 48

Overall pattern shown on graph is width does increase as move downstream from source. At P1, 0.6km from source width 1.8m. At P5, 13km from source width 8.8m. Increase of 7m in width. All other points exhibit same pattern and no anomalies. Significantly larger increase in width between P2 and P3, from 3m to 5.6m, increase of 2.6m. Overall, graph supports hypothesis and width does increase with distance downstream.

Question 49

What is the interpretation from the graph for hypothesis 1?

Answer 49

Graph showed increasing river width in Shimna River as moved downstream. Increase of 7m from P1 to P5. Reason for this is due to increasing discharge from 0.08 to 1.2 cumecs. Means river has more energy to erode. Also due to tributaries entering river through drainage basin so Shimna collects more water moving towards mouth. Gradient becomes less steep in lower course so lateral erosion dominates. Hydraulic action occurs as power of water cuts into river banks making it wider. Abrasion also takes place as stones and scrape against river banks wearing them away. At times minerals in river banks may dissolve due to acids in water in solution if chemical reaction takes place. These reasons cause river to goer wider with increasing distance downstream.

Question 50

What is the title for a graph for hypothesis 2?

Answer 50

A line graph showing how average bedload length changes with increasing distance downstream from the source.

Question 51

What is the analysis from the graph for hypothesis 2?

Answer 51

Overall pattern shown on graph is average bedload length decreases as move downstream from source. Negative relationship. At P1, 0.6km from source, average size was 22cm. P3 is in middle course of river profile. At P3, 7km from source, average size was 14cm. Decrease of 8cm in average size from sites 1-3. Further decrease of average length in lower course. At P5, 13km downstream, average size was 6cm.

Question 52

What is the interpretation from the graph for hypothesis 2?

Answer 52

Reason for bedload size decreases with distance downstream due to processes of erosion and increasing discharge. River collects more water as moves downstream through drainage basin from source to mouth. Tributaries supplied more water which gave river more energy to erode. Hydraulic action is power of water which can erode. River can also transport more particles downstream. Attrition occurs where bedload hits against each other and causes stones and rocks to break apart into smaller pieces. Corrasion is when bedload scrapes against bed and banks and doing so worn down becoming smaller and more rounded. Some mineral particles may also be dissolved in solution. Large reduction from site … to … could be explained by more and larger tributaries joining river during middle to lower course. As result river May also have more excess energy to erode. Sites … to … also showed significant increase in discharge.

Question 53

How do you draw a conclusion from your evidence?

Answer 53

Make statement on whether data supports each hypothesis. Back up your statement with specific evidence from results you collected.