Guidance on writing up your investigation

CRITERIA

Criterion
A
Fieldwork
Question
and
Geographi
c Context
(3 marks)
400 words

Criterion
B Methods
of
investigati
on (3
marks)
400 words

Criterion
C Quality
and
treatment
of
informatio
n collected
(5 marks)

MARKBANDS

To get 3 marks

MAIN POINTS

The fieldwork question

is well focused with a
detailed, accurate
explanation of the
geographic context and
is related to the
syllabus. A good
locational map is
presented.

To get 3 marks

There is a clear
description and
justification of the
method(s) used for
information collection.
The method(s) used are
well suited to the
investigation of the
fieldwork question.

HAVE
YOU
DONE
IT?
(Tick)

To get 5 marks

The information
collected is directly
relevant to the fieldwork
question and is
sufficient in quantity
and quality to allow for
in-depth analysis. The
most appropriate
techniques have been
used effectively for both
the treatment and
display of information
collected.

State your aim (what is your work trying

to prove)
Link to syllabus (quote the section from
the syallbus)
3 testable and justified hypotheses (why
will they help you to answer your
research question)
Link to your theory (what theory are you
basing your work upon)
Map your location. Show site locations.
Add layers of data/ manipulate the map
to make it your own (downloading a
google map is NOT enough)

DESCRIBE the METHODS used to collect

data (using annotated visuals to help
you)
EXPLAIN why this data will help you
answer your hypotheses
EXPLAIN why you chose this particular
method
JUSTIFY your SAMPLING technique and
sampling sites

Maps and graphs must have titles/ labels/

keys
Maps and graphs should be integrated
into the ANALYSIS (one hypothesis at a
time)
You must have at least TWO sophisticated
methods e.g. spearman rank,
scattergraphs
Use LOCATED graphs i.e. graphs on the
maps.
Aim for 4/5 different types of graphs.
There must be a STATISTICAL technique.
Highlight any patterns or correlations on
your graphs/ annotations are also

encouraged.

CRITERIA

MARKBANDS

To get 10 marks

Criterion
D Written
analysis
(10 marks)
1200
words

Criterion
E
Conclusion
(2 marks)
200 words

Criterion
F

Evaluation
(3 marks)
300 marks

9-10 The report reveals

a very good level of
knowledge and
understanding. There is
a clear and
well-reasoned, detailed
analysis of the results
with strong references
to the fieldwork
question, geographic
context, information
collected and illustrative
material. The attempt to
explain any anomalies
in results is good.

To get 2 marks
There is a clear
conclusion to the
fieldwork question,
consistent with the
analysis.

HAVE
YOU
DONE
IT?
(Tick)

MAIN POINTS

To get 3 marks

Methods of collecting
fieldwork information
have been evaluated
clearly. There are valid
and realistic
recommendations for
improvements or
extensions. There may
be some suggestions for
modifying the fieldwork
question.

Split your analysis into your 2/3

hypotheses i.e. a separate section of the
analysis for each hypothesis.
DESCRIBE patterns and trends of each
graph and how they link with
HYPOTHESES
EXPLAIN why these results occur, using
theory.
Highlight any ANOMALIES. Do they
support theory?
At the end of each section, accept or
reject the hypothesis and link to its
relevance in answering the Research
Question.

Start by stating clearly whether you have

TOTALLY, PARTIALLY, TENTATIVELY
answered your research question.
Summarise how successful your
hypotheses were.

For each method of data collection,

explain the strengths and weaknesses.
State how useful your data was in
answering the Research Question.
Suggest areas of improvement.
Give at least one alternative hypothesis.

CRITERIA

MARKBANDS

These are:
The work is within the
2,500 word limit.
Overall presentation is
neat and well
structured.
Pages are numbered.
Criterion
G

Formal
requireme
nts
(4 marks)

References used for

background
information follow
standard
conventions.
All illustrative material
is numbered, is fully
integrated into the body
of the report and is not
relegated to an
appendix.
To get 4 marks
4 The work is within the
2,500 word limit and
meets the other four
formal requirements.

MAIN POINTS

Number your pages

Use referencing for any secondary
data you have used.
Number each visual
Keep to within 2500 words.

HAVE
YOU
DONE
IT?
(Tick)