Formulating Enquiry Questions (Edexcel GCSE Geography B) : Revision Note

Jacque Cartwright

Written by: Jacque Cartwright

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Updated on

Formulating Coastal Enquiry Questions

Coastal fieldwork enquiry

  • To undertake a coastal fieldwork enquiry there are a range of practical skills and methods that will be used

  • These can be applied to any coastal fieldwork

Geographical theories and case studies

  • The fieldwork enquiry should be linked to geographical theory and/or example:

    • In the coastal fieldwork enquiry the theories of how coastlines vary in terms of their processes, landforms and/or the effectiveness of management strategies

    • Using a model or case studies helps to explain why certain processes occur or trends/patterns can be seen

    • They enable identification of where the data collected is not as expected

Aims and hypothesis

  • The aims and hypothesis come from general questions asked about the coast such as:

    • Does geology affect the shape of a stretch of coastline and its landforms?

    • How and why is hard engineering more effective along a particular stretch of coastline?

    • How and why is soft engineering used along a stretch of coastline?

    • Does beach morphology change because of wave energy?

    • Does coastal protection along a stretch of beach consider stakeholder views?

  • Aims are focused on a particular place as you cannot measure everywhere

  • Examples of an aim would be: 

    • To explore the impact of coastal processes on Y beach 

    • To investigate how wave energy along X beach changes beach morphology

    • To explore how geology affects the shape and landforms of W beach

  • Hypotheses are statements that are tested through fieldwork

  • Examples of a hypothesis would be:

    • Coastal management strategies used at Y beach have taken conflicting views into account

  • A null hypothesis is a statement that is opposite to a hypothesis 

  • This ensures there is no bias when collecting the evidence

    • You are not ignoring evidence because it doesn't prove the statement

  • If you cannot prove the statement then the opposite must be true

  • Examples of a null hypothesis would be:

    • Coastal management strategies used at Y beach have not taken conflicting views into account

  • After the aims and hypothesis of the fieldwork have been established the next steps include:

    • Select the sites: this will involve sampling

    • Decide on the equipment to be used

    • Consider health and safety issues: complete a risk assessment

    • Data collection methods to be used

Worked Example

Study Figure 1, which is the data collected by a group of students studying beach profiles in two different locations with contrasting rock types.

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Suggest a suitable enquiry question that the students could have investigated

(2 marks)

Answer 

  • Is there a relationship between rock type (1) and the range of gradients found at both locations (1)

  • The coarser the beach material (1) the steeper the gradient (1)

  • Is there a significant difference between the gradients (1) at the two locations (1)

Site selection and sampling

  • It is not practical or feasible to collect data along all parts of the coast as there would be too much data

  • To select coastal sites, getting a true sample reduces bias

  • There may be situations where access to a stretch of the coast is limited due to a rock fall or unstable cliffs etc.

  • Therefore, an opportunistic approach to sampling needs to be taken

  • This needs to be as close as possible to the site selected using sampling 

  • The most commonly used sampling strategies for a coastal enquiry are:

    • Systematic: sampling of sites at regular intervals means that all parts of the stretch of coast are covered

    • Random: the use of random sampling means that all sites have an equal chance of being selected which eliminates bias

    • Stratified: by dividing each sampling site into groups e.g. three sites from each sample section

  • Site location can be recorded using GPS to give an accurate location using latitude and longitude

  • Or through grid reference from an Ordnance Survey map

Equipment

  • To complete the coast measurements a range of equipment is needed 

  • The equipment includes the following:

    • Surveyor’s 25+ meter tape: measuring distances on a beach or between ranging poles when completing beach transects

    • Compass to measure direction

    • Ranging poles for beach transects

    • Clinometer: calculate the angle of a beach

    • Callipers: measuring pebble size

    • Quadrat: used to select sediment for sampling

    • Clipboard for holding recording sheets

    • Recording sheets

    • Roundness or angularity charts 

    • Pencil for writing in data, particularly useful if the paper becomes damp

    • Camera to take photographs of sites and coastal features

Risk assessment

  • Any fieldwork will involve consideration of health and safety using a risk assessment

  • Risks associated specifically with coastal fieldwork may include:

    • Tide times

    • Weather conditions

    • Slippery rocks

    • Polluted water

    • Working in an unfamiliar place

    • Misuse of equipment

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Jacque Cartwright

Author: Jacque Cartwright

Expertise: Geography Content Creator

Jacque graduated from the Open University with a BSc in Environmental Science and Geography before doing her PGCE with the University of St David’s, Swansea. Teaching is her passion and has taught across a wide range of specifications – GCSE/IGCSE and IB but particularly loves teaching the A-level Geography. For the past 5 years Jacque has been teaching online for international schools, and she knows what is needed to get the top scores on those pesky geography exams.

Bridgette Barrett

Reviewer: Bridgette Barrett

Expertise: Geography Lead

After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.

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