The Enquiry Process Map
Good fieldwork is not random. Follow the six stages of a geographical enquiry, from asking a question to critically reflecting on your results.
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A plan for fieldwork 🗺️
Good fieldwork is not random. Geographers follow a clear **enquiry process**: a set of stages from asking a question to reaching a conclusion. This module is about the SIX stages of a geographical enquiry, and the methods used along the way.
Words to know 🔑
Four ideas run through the enquiry process:
Where to start? 🎯
What is the first stage of a geographical enquiry?
- Formulating the enquiry question
- Drawing a conclusion
- Presenting the data
- Reflecting on the results
Two kinds of data ⚖️
A strong enquiry collects both kinds of data.
Match the stage 🔗
- Stage 1
- Stage 2
- Stage 3
- Stage 6
- Decide the enquiry question
- Collect the data in the field
- Present the data as maps and graphs
- Reflect on how the enquiry went
Primary and secondary 📊
Data comes from two sources. PRIMARY data you collect yourself in the field, such as your own measurements. SECONDARY data someone else collected, such as maps, old photos or official figures. A good enquiry uses both, and always says where the data came from.
Find the mean 🔢
An interactive activity.
A good enquiry ✅
Which THREE should a good enquiry include?
- At least one quantitative method
- At least one qualitative method
- At least one secondary source
- Made-up results to save time
- Ignoring any data that surprises you
Present the data 📈
An interactive activity.
The six stages 🪜
An interactive activity.
Complete the idea 🧩
A geographical enquiry starts by forming an enquiry _____. You then collect data using both quantitative and _____ methods. Next you process and _____ the data as maps and graphs, before drawing an evidenced _____. The final stage is to critically _____ on how the enquiry went.
True or not? 🖍️
An interactive activity.
Which stage? 🧭
An interactive activity.
Plan an enquiry ✍️
An interactive activity.