6GEO4 Unit 4 Geographical Research

CONTENTS
1. Overview
2. Enquiry questions and synopticity
3. Skills audit for research
4. What is a report style essay?
5. Research and Preparation
6. Practise and the exam
7. The Pre-release phase
Click on the information icon to jump to that section.
Click on the home button to return to this contents page
 1. Overview
Unit 4 has 6 Options
You study only one of these.
Research your option choice by
over approximately 10 weeks
In the exam you answer one
question; there is no choice.
You will receive a pre-release
Research Focus (a steer) a few
weeks before the exam.
This steer will guide your
revision, fact-finding, and
preparation.
The biggest hurdle to a high
grade in this module is being able
to write a coherent Report in 1
hour 30 minutes. The more
practice you can get doing these
the better!
Options you study only
one!
1. Tectonic activity and
Hazards
2. Cold environments:
landscapes and
change
3. Life on the Margins
4. The World of Cultural
Diversity
5. Pollution and Human
Health at Risk
6. Consuming the Rural
Landscape: Leisure &
Tourism
 2. Enquiry Questions and Synoptic element

Within each Option there The synoptic element of

are 4 Enquiry Questions, People-Places Power is
and sub questions to built into each Enquiry
break up the topic into Question
manageable chunks.
Each report style essay
will either cut across
several Enquiry Questions,
or will examine several
sub questions.
 3. Skills audit for research
Good organisation is the key to success in this module which assesses
independent learning, highly valued by universities and employers.
How would you rate your own abilities in:
Time management?
Meeting deadlines?
Self-discipline?
Working outside of class?
Organisation?
Taking the initiative?
Problem solving ?
Effective researching from a range of sources?
Being flexible?

Remember the proportion of work in this Module:

EDEXCEL TEACHER STUDENT
 4. What is a report style essay?

A report is a conventional method of presenting

precise information.
Report style is highly structured and organised.
It is tightly focused on the subject of investigation
An effective report will also be compelling and
stimulating to read.
Report titles will require an analysis and
assessment of a situation.
In the Unit 4 exam you need to merge traditional
essay writing style with report style to produce a
discursive argument organised into structured
sections.

 Producing a report style essay in exam conditions

To help you to produce a report style essay, a 3 stage

process has been identified to help you understand
the final product required in the exam.
These stages are:
I - Research and preparation: learning about the
content of the syllabus, and the start of gathering
and selecting materials, and creating an organised
portfolio/file
II - Practicing report writing and the final exam
III - The pre release phase before the exam, where
information is given to help you focus on specific
aspects of your chosen option.
 5. Research and preparation phase

Planning is essential.
It saves time
Ensure you have a timeline, listing the weeks up
until the pre-release and final exam.
Add interim deadlines for research, class work such
as presentations, and practice report essays.
Plan the information you need to collect and set
aside time to organise the material.
The key is to achieve a balance between reading
around a topic as well as a focussing on specific
aspects.
 During this phase you should decide: As you research material, constantly remind
WHAT you are gathering information on yourself of your aims, title etc.
WHY you need this information and
HOW it will help you write your report.
Each option has 4 subsections
Break these down into manageable
chunks with the aid of your teacher,
perhaps by creating a topic map and
then posing small questions to
answer.
Be really sure that you understand
the sub question youre answering
This will reduce aimless library and
internet research and getting an
overload of irrelevant and
overlapping information.
Share ideas and research with your friends
Writing a short glossary as you go will be
invaluable for final revision
 Sources of information
Undertake some individual background
reading using the suggested bibliography Use a wide range of research
with the Edexcel suggested scheme of
work for Unit 4. sources:
Use internet search engines to look for
more possibilities. Libraries
Avoid the common problems whilst
online of Resource centres,
The internet
Distraction- into emails, Facebook. Specialist option sources such
Information overload over 6 billion as National Park visitor
internet pages are waiting for you!-
Write out a list of questions you want to centres, GP surgeries, organic
find answers to, and reject information farms, cultural centres.
that doesnt help answer them. You can
always return for more. Primary research (fieldwork)
Couldnt find any information- highly may be possible too.
unlikely in todays information rich age!
Vary your search commands and key
words.
All information is useful .Material on
the internet has to be carefully
evaluated.
 Is the information authentic?

Who is the author? Are there names and contact details? If you have to use
Wikipedia, these are at the bottom of each page, often with live links to the
original
Does the author / s have academic credentials, or is associated with an
organisation?
Check your
Who owns and contributes to the website? Check the URL- think of the bias
research
Greenpeace or the CIA may have!
sources and
ask: Is there a bibliography / list of sources to back up this work?
Are the views, information and opinions balanced or just one persons biased
viewpoint?
Is the information old and possibly out of date? abandoned websites stay
around a long time!
 The Research Wall-beyond Google and Wikipedia
Local Authority GIS systems- simple free Textbooks Multimedia - DVDs,
websites ones podcasts. even U-tube

Journals and Magazine
articles- not just Geographical
ones!
Internet Search Engines
Use keywords and phrases- add
as much as you can to narrow
the search, and put in quote
marks /+ symbols between
words to refine search. Most
famous = www.google.co.uk/
Geographical magazines, Geofact Internet e.g. ATHENS- your Professional geographical
sheets, Geofiles. centre may buy into shared organisations e.g .RGS, The
Many of these are in an electronic resource systems like Athens Geographical Association may have
form system, where subscription useful sources. See also specialist
information e.g. New sites for options e.g. WHO for
Scientist ,The Economist., daily health, UNESCO for culture
Internet Gateways- good for newspapers and the
researching issues sophisticated GALE data base is
e.g. INTUTE for Arts and available..
Humanities
http://www.humbul.ac.uk/
http
://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/he/tutori
al/geographer
http://bubl.ac.uk/

FOUNDATION STONES:
Keep a record of where your notes/articles originate from- you may need to return to them during revision! A bibliography may help here
,split into books, magazines, internet, other.
Skim read all sources to get a feel for content- then reject/ accept accordingly
Ensure any notes relate specifically back to the syllabus to reduce your work load- reading around the subject is desirable, but you dont
want to get lost in a mire of information!
If material overlaps different Key Questions, note in the margin/as header/footer other areas supported
Beware mind theft ie plagiarism even if unintentional! Create a habit of reading information then putting into your own words rather than
straight (and far easier! cut-and-stick!)
 Case studies and examples

Do not fall into the trap of collecting dozens of

detailed case studies for the sake of it.
You will not be able to use them all in the final
exam which is only 1 hours!
Several extended examples and some really in
depth case studies which cross over all the
subsections is the best preparation for the final
exam.
The key is to be flexible in your final choices and
selection in the exam: to reject information as
well as accept it!
 Assembling notes
Create an organised file by specification subsection or case study, with
cross referencing to help in the pre-release phase.
Keep a contents page/index.
You should have a physical file and not rely on an electronic version .
Create a TRAIL of information in case you need to return to it later.
Once you have skimmed the title, contents, authenticity and topicality of
the research source, carry on skim reading BEFORE starting to take notes .
Follow the main points and summarise- in your own writing even if takes a
bit longer- at least you know you understand the information then.
Make a record of the book and its relevant page numbers because you will
need to quote this in the exam:
Always keep a record of research sources and check for possible bias in the information:

Subsection Location Why chosen Details-using Possible Bias

Of Tectonic referencing system:
activity and author, date, title,
Hazards basic url address
Enquiry Q N/A Overview whole Natural Hazards and Unlikely, composite
1,2,3,4 topic Disaster, Warn + references
Holmes 2008

Enquiry Q 1 USA and other Case studies www.quake.wr.usgs.gov Unlikely- Scientific

recent individual research organisation
earthquakes+ USA
good diagrams
6 - Practising report style essays and the Exam
The Exam Product: Use the following language within your report:

A report has sections /

numbered sections, To ILLUSTRATE: For example, that isanother
headings, diagrams and i.e. case example of .
possibly bullet points. studies
Structure is a key element To CONTRAST Howeverbutalbeit.on the other
of the report, make it between case hand.another aspect to considerin
obvious to the examiner! studies or contrast
One key aim is examples
readability e.g. To EXTEND the Moreoverfurthermorein
material addition.in the long term.
paragraphs need to be presented
more than one sentence To CONCLUDE Thereforeas a resultas has been
and linked logically. shown.in the future.
Avoid colloquialisms( e.g. To EVALUATE To an extentit could be argued
sad, cool) and within the that.the main
abbreviations (e.g. etc, report reason/factor/process/challenge
could therefore be said.other groups
dont). may.on the other hand.against this
Avoid I did this or that it could be argued.one view that
and write in the third could be taken
person(e.g. it can be seen
that.)
 The writing process
There are 3 main factors to consider to give
your report a sound framework, clear style
and an attractive, readable appearance:
I Structure
II - Content and discussion
III - Language and presentation
 Structure
Report essays need logical form and shape i.e. structure
As a basic structure you should think:
 Plans and introductions Pull apart the Question: identify
the:
Command words e.g. discuss,
Are always marked, analyse, explain..
even if crossed out Identify the key words e.g. all,
Messy scribbles mainly, increasingly
Identify the range of case
which help YOU are studies/examples needed
fine Identify any restrictions i.e. case
Do not over-plan studies or themes that do not fit
(take too long the question.
In your introduction :
planning) to Discuss
detriment of real Define
report-essay. justify
A planning page is
designated in the
examination answer
booklet
 Facts, stats and topicality
Facts- make factfiles for each of your case studies-
dates, locations, types- learning these is essential.
Real life geography: do not repeat information, or use
overly similar examples. Are the comparisons between
case studies wise, e.g. can you really compare an
infectious disease with a trauma in terms of effects, or
responses to a volcano and an earthquake ?
Be topical if you can. well researched older case studies
are fine so long as they are brought up to date- for
example what is happening now in Denali? Antarctica?
Kobe? Bam? Chernobyl? Bhopal? Darfur? AIDs/HIV .
Tectonic salience, vulnerability, techno-centric, intra-plate, Mercalli scale,
Hazards aseismic,
If relevant to your question, try to show
the global spectrum of economic
development rather than just the outdated
N-S.
Sourcing: quote some key references eg
BBC news website, USGS, Greenfacts, New
Scientist, Geography Review, key text or
podcast or DVD..in your essay, as a
footnote or at the end as a mini
Bibliography. Avoid vague reference to
Google or Wikipedia .
Use specialist Geographical vocabulary:

Cold Moraine, relic landscape, permafrost.

environments

Life on the Food security, desertification.

margin

World of Ethnoscape, globalisation, Mcdonaldisation.

Cultural
Diversity
Health + trans- boundary, diffuse, sustained, point, sink, precautionary
Pollution principle, Tragedy of commons, sustainability.

Consuming the wilderness continuum, core-buffer zoning, Biosphere reserve,

rural landscape resilience, carrying capacity, sustainability..
 Evaluating and conclusions
You get marks for Conclusion- This section, probably or
evaluating a side of writing, is a summary of all the
throughout the major findings made at stages
essay, so after each throughout the report.
main section have a No new evidence or examples should
link back to the title appear here.
The conclusion consider the evidence
presented in the main body, draws out
the implications and brings it to one
overall conclusion or an ordered series
of final conclusions.
There should be obvious reference back
to the title and your SPECIFIC case
studies.
You might want to make reference to
the future if relevant
Style and Quality of Written Expression
Essential to practice hand
written Report Essays before
final exam
Assess the general layout of
your product:
use proper report style with
sections and paragraphs .
Use diagrams and figures
Bullet points are acceptable if
part of an argument or diagram.
Remember to reference any
diagrams in your text as Fig 1, 2
etc
Use A-Level vocabulary and
style, e.g. linking words, for
example in comparison,
however
Is your argument easy to follow
by the examiner?
Your sentences must be grammatically
correct, well punctuated and words
must be spelt accurately, especially
geographical terminology and place
names.
Poor writing regularly indicates
muddled ideas
Use short sentences rather than
rambling, long complex ones!
Remember you are writing to
communicate not to perplex or
impress. Avoid jargon.
Focus on the specific title. Every part
of the essay-report should relate to it,
and this will help to keep the report
concise and coherent.
Accuracy is vitally important so
always be precise. Know the material
you are trying to convey
 Mark scheme

. Mark scheme Marks Shorthand

So when your examiner is
Introducing, 10 D
thinking DRACQ and awarding
defining and up to 70 marks, have you
focusing on the maximised your chances for
question
success?
Researching and
Methodology
15 R Would you give your
Definitions/ introduction and
Analysis,
application and
20 A conclusion 10 marks each?
understanding Have you shown both range and
Conclusions and 15 C depth in your Research for 15
evaluation marks?
Quality of written 10 Q Have you really tried to fit the
communication
and sourcing
data to the title and get the
highest Application/ analysis
TOTAL 70 marks?
How close to 10 will you be on
Quality of Written
Communication?
 Characteristics of weak and strong exam work
Characteristics of weak work
Unstructured report
Lack of focus on the question in the
introduction
Random case studies, poorly related
to question focus
Descriptive
Another case study is
A simple presentation of knowledge,
some of it incorrect
No referencing, sourcing or hint at
research methods
Characteristics of strong work
Well organised, sectioned report
Direct reference to question,
definitions
Justified case study choice
Links to concepts, theories and
models
Explanatory, supported by factual
detail
Supporting examples
Links between case studies and
examples drawing out overall
themes
A genuine discussion
A genuine attempt to source,
reference and mention research
 7 - The pre release phase before the exam
Approximately 4 working Below is an example of
weeks before the final the relationship between
exam you will be issued the focus and final exam
with a focus or steer as to question:
the final exam title.
Pre Release research Focus, adapted from Examination Title
the Sample Assessment Materials

Explore the types of relationship between the Discuss the relationship between the
causes and effects of different tectonic nature of tectonic hazards and human
hazards, and the range of responses humans responses to them
have to them.
Research a range of tectonic activity types
and response in varying locations.
 As soon as you get the pre-release research focus:

Dissect it by relating it back to the specification.

Discuss it with your peers and teacher.
Ensure you know what Explore and Research actually mean.
Make a list of any key concepts and models likely to help
Which terms in your glossary may help?
Practice linkage words, to make your report structured and logical.
Marshall the parts of your file most related to the focus
Make final summary fact-files of your main case studies/examples: precise details are
required in final exam for top grades
Identify the complexity in the focus- Geography rarely involves black and white
decisions- wheres the element of gray?
Try to practice different introductions and conclusions - especially to time. Your plan
should take 5 mins or so, introduction should be written in 10minutes, main conclusion
in 10 minutes.
If you havent tried writing a full report in 90minutes with no notes, now is the time!
Remind yourself of the components of the generic mark scheme: the formula is
D+R+A+Q+C = 70!
 Consider revision as selecting building stones to
gradually develop skills and build up enough
knowledge to tackle the exam effectively:
Start Option Research + notes
10 weeks classwork and homework Examples / Case Studies should have information on the synoptic elements of this
Researching into each of the sub module: People/Places/Power
Enquiry Questions . Write several practice essay/reports; some under timed conditions with/without your
notes.
Create a glossary of key terms and learn them.

The pre release research focus The Research Focus posted online gives a helpful steer as to the title in the exam.
phase- Explore= the concepts, theories, models
Approximately 4 working weeks Research= case studies, examples to support/test these.
before actual exam Practice different command words, such as :
Discuss,
To what extent,
Explain why or how
Ensure you understand key terms like process, factor, players, geographical,
challenges, responses, causes, impacts..
Make short summaries of key facts to learn for the exam on cards, A4 summaries,
post its.
Learn your glossary!
The Exam The first page is for planning use it! You will increase your chances of a good grade.
One and half hours Then get writing, remembering the basic mark scheme
Try to finish the report- even at the risk of making it obvious you ran out of time by
leaving a gap and going to the conclusion! Otherwise you throw away valuable marks