Collecting, selecting and representing data

When collecting and selecting geographical data, make sure that you:

• identify the relevant geographical questions
• collect and record data in ways that are appropriate for the project you are undertaking, and
• undertake your own research - even if you are doing your coursework through a teacher-led investigation. This will improve your results, and make the work more interesting!

For example, if you are doing a shopping survey, make sure you understand the geographical issues related to local population structure, economic activity, transport patterns, urban planning, etc. If you can find case studies on the issues you are looking into, make sure you refer to these and link them to what you have found in your own research.

Representing data

Make sure you use a range of graphs, tables and charts to represent your data. You don't have to put all your data in graphs, but you do need to show that you know how to present data in a variety of ways.

It's also a good idea to explain why you have chosen a particular statistical method to represent your data. If you use a scattergraph, for example - say why this kind of chart helps in understanding the information.