Hypothesis - An idea which is suggested as a possible explanation for a particular situation or condition, but which has not yet been proved to be correct. To test it, Geographers conduct fieldwork and collect data on the variables noted in the idea., Risk - This is any attribute or characteristic involved with the fieldwork process that increases the likelihood of developing of injury or an issue with safeguarding, such as extreme cold, an unfamiliar environment, deep water, traffic or strangers., Primary Data Source - This data source is an original, one in which the data are collected first hand by the researcher for a specific research purpose or project. E.g. for us, the size of the bedload in Colin River., Variable - Anything that has a quantity or quality that changes over space and/or time. The dependent variable (on y axis) is the one a researcher is interested in. An independent variable (on x axis and controlled by the researcher) is believed to affect the dependent variable., Secondary Data Source - This data source is research data that has previously been gathered by others and can be accessed by geographers for their own research. E.g. for us was use of a map and data collected by the other half of the Geography classes., Data Collection - The purpose of fieldwork is to do this-using equipment and agreed methods to record information about variables that relate to the hypotheses. Quantitative data usually consists of factual information that can be counted and used in fieldwork. Qualitative data is more opinion-based, but is still useful for geographical investigations., Data Presentation - Raw data tables are difficult to interpret and so data must be presented in different ways. Graphs, maps and charts are useful as they help to see patterns within data. Accurate presentation of data helps to form conclusions to the enquiry - data that is badly presented is very difficult to understand., Data Analysis - This involves describing the fieldwork results, identifying patterns, trends and relationships, quoting figures as evidence of these patterns and also any noteworthy anomalies. E.g. for us, we see the average size of the bed load decreases as distance from the source increases- a negative correlation., Data Interpretation - This is explaining the patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies noted in the analysis. In Geography it often involves reference to accepted theory and localised geographical reasons. E.g. the theory of continued erosion can account for the reduction in bed load size downstream, but anomalies exist due to the different types of rock that underlie the Colin River.,

Fieldwork Key Words

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