GEOGRAPHICAL INVESTIGATION
Read the background information and identify the following:
Purpose of Investigation
Target Audience
Sample Size
Sampling Methods
Time (Duration and/or Interval)
Location (Type and/or Number)
Type of Data Collected
(Primary and/or Secondary)
Choice of Data Collection Method(s)
For example:
Crafting Hypothesis / GQ
Identify BOTH the (in)dependent variables.
A hypothesis / GQ must be SPECIFIC so DO NOT
use the words ‘affect’ , ‘influence’ or ‘impact’.
Use adjectives for BOTH (in)dependent variables
in order for the hypothesis / GQ to be SPECIFIC.
For example:
Students wanted to investigate whether age would affect
the residents’ sense of place in the Clementi
neighbourhood.
Independent variable: Age; Dependent variable: Sense of Place
Hypothesis: Older residents will result in a stronger sense of place.
GQ: Does an increase in age result in an increase in a sense of place?
Hypothesis: Age affects/influences/impacts sense of place.
GQ: Does age affect/influence/impact sense of place?
Data Collection (Sampling Methods)
For example, if hypothesis is:
Residents choose to stay in Sengkang due to its accessibility.
If we just look at the hypothesis alone, then it’s either: Simple Random
Sampling and/or Convenience Sampling
However, do read the background information provided in each question to
further determine your choice between the two sampling methods.
For example, if hypothesis is:
Younger residents choose to stay in Sengkang due to its accessibility.
If we just look at the hypothesis alone, then it’s either: Stratified Sampling
and/or Quota Sampling (because we need to create sub-groups: younger and
older residents)
However, do read the background information provided in each question to
further determine your choice between the two sampling methods.
Data Representation
many items few items single category many categories
over items over time
two variables
Comparison
What would you
Relationship like to show?
Distribution
Composition
(simple share of total)
Data Analysis
Study the data given in the source.
Make sure you are clear which are the
(in)dependent variables. Always write the
independent variable first.
Attach adjective + evidence from source + units
to both the (in)dependent variables.
Mention anomalies (if applicable)
Concluding Statement: Hence hypothesis/GQ is
(dis)proven/(un)supported/(in)valid.
Evaluate / Suggest Improvements
Evaluate: Give strengths and limitations.
Suggest improvements: Usually for the limitations
and to improve reliability/validity of data.
Reliability
Reliability is how repeatable the data collection methods are.
Repeatable: Can you carry out the same data collection methods
a second (or third) time?
Did you use the right sampling method to represent the whole population?
Is your sample size big enough?
Did you take into consideration a suitable choice of time/location?
What is the frequency (how often) of your data collection?
Validity
Validity is the extent to which the processes and data measure
what they are supposed to.
Will the data collection yield data that you can use to (dis)prove your
guiding question / hypothesis?