Geographical Terms

• Hypothesis: A statement which, based on geographical theory, you think is true, but you are going to test during your fieldwork. Testing your hypothesis allows you to fulfil the overall aim of your investigation.
• Risks: the possibility that something could go wrong and cause someone harm. Conducting a risk assessment helps to identify fieldwork risks and implement risk minimisation strategies.
• Primary sources: Data collected first hand by a researcher in the field. The data collected can be designed specifically to the aims/hyopthesis.
• Secondary Sources: Information or data taken from a published source, such as a map or book. The information/data was collected by someone else.
• Data collection: The process of gathering primary data from the field (e.g bedload size, velocity, etc)
• Data Presentation: Data presentation involves using graphs, maps and diagrams to illustrate your fieldwork data. This can be hand drawn or completed using ICT.
• Data Analysis: A written, detailed examination of a graph, map or table to establish trends and patterns in the data collected. Figures are quoted, and simple calculations performed.
• Interpretation: involves explaining what your graph/data shows, using your knowledge of geographical theory and the local geography.
• Anomaly: An unexpected result that does not conform to the overall pattern.
• Conclusion: The findings of the study are summarised. A concluding statements which relates to the aim/hypothesis is made and supported by relevant data and theory.