INVESTIGATING GEOGRAPHICAL ISSUES AIMS To understand exam board rules for completion of controlled assessments. To understand the process for the completion of the investigation. To understand what a geographical issue is.

The Geographical Investigation Is worth 10% of your final exam grade. Is to be presented using ICT in the form of written report or PowerPoint presentation. Is to be written up in 6 hours under controlled conditions. Is to have a word limit of 800 words, not including maps, graphs, footnotes, appendices. Is to be based on your individual research of mainly secondary data. (primary may be appropriate in some cases)

EXAM BOARD RULES. You are allowed to research for your Geographical Investigation at home. This includes internet research and use of books. You will be allowed time for research and preparation in lessons up until the controlled assessment period. You are allowed to bring all your research material into the controlled assessment lessons. Memory sticks with images/photographs/maps/diagrams –( it must be raw data) You are not allowed to bring any annotated materials, plans or notes into the controlled assessment lessons. You must acknowledge ALL sources used. You are not allowed to talk to other candidates during controlled assessment lessons.

What we are allowed to do! Provide general guidelines to help you structure your write up. Provide you with verbal advice and help. What we are not allowed to do! Provide you with any templates. Provide you with any written feedback. Tell you what to write.

The controlled assessment conditions You will be provided with a folder which will stay in school. Your research material can be added to the folder as you prepare. Its contents will be checked by your teacher before the controlled assessment lessons start. If you are bringing in a memory stick it must be given to your teacher for checking and must not contain any other material not related to your research. (let your teacher know in advance if you need to borrow one). You are not allowed to send any material to and from school via . You will be expected to provide a hand written rough draft of your work before you are allowed to write up your finished investigation on the computer.

TOP TIPS!!!!! Though you will be able to conduct some additional research in the six hours controlled assessment it is not advisable to try and do all of it. Complete your research diary as you go along. The six hours should be dedicated to the analysis and write up of your findings!! YOU SHOULD BE DOING YOUR RESEARCH AT HOME AND DURING THE PREPARATION LESSONS.

What is a Geographical Issue? It is a current topical subject. It can affect people and the environment. It could be a UNITED KINGDOM based issue or it could be a GLOBAL issue. We can find out about our chosen issue from a variety of sources – textbooks, television, magazines, newspapers and the internet.

What geographical questions should we ask about any geographical issue? What? Why? Where? Who? Solutions? Look at the newspaper article on p213 and discuss questions for investigation.

Beware of our Sources. We as Geographers must also ask questions about the research materials we are using? When was it written? Who wrote it? Why did they write it?

Consider this? A report on obesity written by a manufacturer of diet products. A police report on gun crime figures written 20 years ago. A high street fashion chain writing about where and how their clothes are manufactured. A conservationist writing about the impact of a new sporting venue on the environment. They would all be useful resources but you must evaluate them!!!!

First Steps!!! 1.Write your question out. 2.Identify all the key words and make sure that you know what they mean. Check the definitions. 3.Identify the command words. It is essential that you understand exactly what you are being asked to do.

DISCUSS – What type of geographical questions should we be asking? How has the swine flu epidemic impacted upon life in the U.K.? Has the swine flu virus become pandemic?

Structuring your write-up LOCATION/BACKGROUND Define key terms/what is issue about? Describe the distribution/does it vary regionally, nationally, globally? How widespread is issue? Where is subject located ? e.g. venue Do you need to include a map/maps?

INVESTIGATION QUESTION What are the causes? What factors are involved? – environmental, political, companies, poverty and wealth. What are the areas of concern? – details of issue Who is involved? – stakeholders views Have there been any changes/developments over time?

EFFECTS How are people and communities affected? How is the environment affected? Where are the effects taking place? Are effects short or long term? Are effects positive, negative or both? Are different groups affected equally?

EVALUATION Are there differing opinions about the effects? Is the data available useful? Has any of the data been biased or conflicting? - reflecting the views of individual stakeholders? Is the data appropriate/easy to use.

CONCLUSION INCLUDING YOU OPINION What are the solutions to the problem? What sustainable practices could be used to resolve the issue? What does the future hold?