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GIS and planning a fieldwork enquiry

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Geographers gather their own data in the field and use computer mapping to see patterns. This lesson shows how to plan an investigation.

What is GIS?

A Geographical Information System (GIS) is computer software that stores, shows and analyses data linked to locations.
Data is shown in layers: for example, rivers, roads, houses and flood risk on top of a base map. Switching layers on and off reveals patterns.
Uses: planning new homes away from flood zones, tracking deforestation from satellite images, mapping crime or disease, and helping emergency services.

The enquiry process

1. Ask a question or make a hypothesis (a statement to test), such as 'Pedestrian numbers fall with distance from the town centre'.
2. Collect data in the field. 3. Present it in maps and graphs. 4. Analyse it: describe patterns and explain them. 5. Conclude: answer the question. 6. Evaluate: how reliable were the methods and results?
It helps to study contrasting locations, such as a town centre and a suburb, or the upper and lower course of a river.

Collecting data

Primary data is collected yourself (counts, measurements, questionnaires). Secondary data comes from others (census, maps, websites).
Quantitative data is numbers; qualitative data is descriptions, photos and opinions.
Sampling: random (every site has an equal chance), systematic (at regular intervals, such as every 50 m) and stratified (sampling each group in proportion).
Always do a risk assessment before fieldwork.
Worked example

Plan how you would test: 'River velocity increases downstream'.

  1. Choose several sites from upstream to downstream, using systematic sampling, such as every 1 km.
  2. At each site, time a float over a measured distance (for example 10 m) three times, and take the average.
  3. Present the results on a line graph, look for a pattern, and evaluate any errors, such as wind moving the float.

Answer: Measure velocity at regular sites downstream with repeated float tests, then graph, analyse and evaluate.

Key idea

GIS shows location data in layers to reveal patterns. Enquiry: question or hypothesis, collect, present, analyse, conclude, evaluate. Primary or secondary; quantitative or qualitative data. Sampling: random, systematic, stratified. Do a risk assessment.

The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.

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