Topic 6: Fieldwork enquiry stage 3 - Processing and presenting fieldwork data — Edexcel GCSE Geography B
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Topic 6: Fieldwork enquiry stage 3 - Processing and presenting fieldwork data explained
Stage 3 turns raw fieldwork data into usable displays in several ways.
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Processing means organising and cleaning data: totalling tallies, calculating means or percentages, and checking entries are complete. Presenting means choosing a form that makes patterns visible. Maps show locations with a key; graphs such as bar charts or scatter graphs show relationships; diagrams such as annotated sketches or flow lines show processes. GIS layers data onto a base map to compare spatial patterns. Displays may be hand-drawn with rulers and conventions, or computer-generated in spreadsheets or GIS. Match the form to the data and enquiry question, and label every display with a title, key or axes, and source.
Your focus
- Select a display type appropriate to a fieldwork dataset and justify the choice.
- Process raw fieldwork data into totals, means or percentages before presentation.
- Produce a labelled map, graph or diagram that a reader can interpret without further explanation.
Topic 6: Fieldwork enquiry stage 3 - Processing and presenting fieldwork data exam tips
Marking Points
- Selects a display type that matches the data, such as a scatter graph for two numerical variables.
- Labels every map, graph or diagram with a title, a key or titled axes, and units where relevant.
- Processes raw data before presentation by totalling, averaging or checking entries for errors.
- Presents hand-drawn work with a ruler, a consistent scale and standard conventions.
- Checks that GIS or spreadsheet output matches the recorded field values before using it.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Before drawing, decide which display answers the enquiry question and sketch it lightly first.
- 💡Keep the raw data beside the display so you can check every plotted value.
- 💡Give each display a title that links to your enquiry question.
Common Mistakes
- Uses a pie chart to show continuous data over time; use a line graph or bar chart instead.
- Omits a key or axis labels, so the reader cannot interpret the display; add a key and titled axes.
- Plots raw values without checking them, so errors go undetected; total and check entries before plotting.
- Presents a GIS map with no base map or scale, so locations lack context; add a base map and scale bar.