Planning

• What is the framework used in geographical investigations?

  Geographical Enquiry Process
• What does the geographical enquiry process help to evaluate?

  Workstation and geographical explanations
• What is the title of the investigation discussed?

  The changing characteristics of the Umbra sand dune ecosystem
• What is the aim of the investigation?

  To investigate changes in sand dune characteristics
• Where is the Umbra Sand Dunes location?

  Magilligan, Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland
• What is the first hypothesis of the investigation?

  Soil pH decreases with distance from the shoreline
• What is the second hypothesis of the investigation?

  Soil moisture content increases with distance from the shoreline
• What is the third hypothesis of the investigation?

  Vegetation diversity increases with distance from the shoreline
• What are the planning factors in the geographical enquiry process?

  1. Formulation of aim/hypotheses
  2. Selection and suitability of a study location
  3. Primary and secondary sources
  4. Sampling methods and sample size
• How was the aim and hypotheses formulated?

  Through class discussions at the Magilligan field centre
• Why is establishing an aim and hypotheses important?

  It directs the course of the investigation
• What does the division into three hypotheses allow for?

  Planning data collection and sampling methods
• Why is the selection of a suitable study site essential?

  To collect adequate data for testing hypotheses
• What makes the Umbra suitable for investigation?

  It demonstrates required physical characteristics
• How far does the Umbra extend inland?

  400 meters
• What is the advantage of using primary data?

  It is more accurate and reliable
• What is primary data?

  Data collected by the researcher in the field
• What is secondary data?

  Data extracted from published sources
• What data sources were used in the investigation?

  Soil samples and OS maps
• How was the data collected used in the investigation?

  To test hypotheses and fulfill the aim
• What is the advantage of collecting data in the field?

  Unusual observations can be noted immediately
• Why is it important to use a suitable sampling method?

  To ensure data is representative and reliable
• What is a transect line used for?

  To measure changes from youngest to oldest dunes
• What is stratified sampling?

  A method selecting data based on dune age
• What is a disadvantage of stratified sampling?

  It can be difficult to determine dune crests
• What is a disadvantage of not including dune troughs in sampling?

  It affects the reliability of results
• What is random sampling?

  A method using a random number table
• What is systematic sampling?

  A method taking one sample at regular intervals
• Why is it important to avoid bias in sampling?

  To increase accuracy and reliability of data
• What additional methods of sampling can be applied on each dune?

  Random sampling
• Why was the sample standardized in the study?

  Samples were taken from the dune crest
• What is the importance of using a suitable sampling method?

  It ensures representativeness of the dunes
• What is the random sampling method described in the study?

  • A random number table selects positions
  • Top left corner of quadrat set along 10m tape
  • Each number represents cm along the tape
• How was systematic sampling conducted in the study?

  One sample was taken at the 5m point
• Why is it important to avoid bias in sampling methods?

  To increase accuracy and reliability of data
• What are the advantages of the sampling methods used?

  • Avoids bias in sample site selection
  • Objective procedure for data collection
  • Easy to generate numbers for planning
  • Allows for organized data collection
• What are the disadvantages of the sampling methods used?

  • Large sections of dune may be omitted
  • Results may not represent the entire dune crest
• What does sampling design involve?

  Determination of sample size and method
• Why is a suitable sample size important?

  It must be large enough to be representative
• How many data sets are needed for statistical tests?

  At least 10 data sets