AS Level Geography requires learners to:
a) identify appropriate field research questions, based on their knowledge and understanding of relevant aspects of physical and human geography
b) understand how to observe and record phenomena in the field and be able to devise and justify practical approaches taken in the field, (including frequency/timing of observation, sampling, and data collection approaches)
c) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to undertake practical field methodologies appropriate to the investigation of core human and physical processes
d) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of implementing chosen methodologies to collect data/information of good quality that is relevant to the topic under investigation
e) apply existing knowledge and concepts to identify, order and understand field observations
f) show the ability to write a coherent analysis of fieldwork findings and results in order to answer a specific geographical question and to justify conclusions
g) evaluate and reflect on fieldwork investigations.

A Level Geography requires learners to:
a) define the research questions which underpin field investigations
b) research relevant literature sources and understand and write up the theoretical or comparative context for a research question
c) observe and record phenomena in the field and devise and justify practical approaches taken in the field including frequency/timing of observation, sampling, and data collection approaches
d) demonstrate practical knowledge and understanding of appropriate field methodologies
e) implement chosen methodologies to collect data/information of good quality and relevant to the topic under investigation
f) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the techniques appropriate for analysing field data and information and for representing results, and show ability to select suitable quantitative or qualitative approaches and to apply them
g) demonstrate the ability to interrogate and critically examine field data in order to comment on its accuracy and/or the extent to which it is representative, and use the experience to extend geographical understanding
h) apply existing knowledge, theory and concepts to order and understand field observations
i) show the ability to write up field results clearly and logically, using a range of presentation methods
j) evaluate and reflect on fieldwork investigations, explain how the results relate to the wider context and show an understanding of the ethical dimensions of field research
k) demonstrate the ability to write a coherent analysis of fieldwork findings in order to answer a specific geographical question and to do this drawing effectively on evidence and theory to make a well-argued case.

AS Level Geography
Students will not be asked to hand in a completed enquiry although, for the exam, they do need to be familiar with all the stages of fieldwork-based enquiry. Students must be taught and may be asked questions on any of the following:

• preparation for fieldwork, including background reading, drawing up aims and objectives for the enquiry, planning research in the field and from secondary sources, using data sampling techniques and carrying out health and safety procedures;

• collection of primary data in the field and using secondary data sources;

• processing and presenting data using relevant graphical and cartographical techniques;

• analysing data, including using statistical techniques where relevant. Drawing conclusions related back to the original aims and objectives and linking these conclusions to both the place studied and the general ideas forming the basis of the enquiry;

• reviewing the success, or otherwise, of all stages of the enquiry;

• considering how the enquiry could be further developed.

A Level Geography requires students to undertake an individual investigation that must:
(a) be based on a research question or issue defined and developed by the student individually to address aims, questions and/or hypotheses relating to any part of the specification content
(b) involve research of relevant literature sources and an understanding of the theoretical or comparative context for a research question/hypothesis
(c) incorporate the observation and recording of field data and/or evidence from field investigations that is of good quality and relevant to the topic under investigation
(d) involve justification of the practical approaches adopted in the field including frequency/timing of observation, sampling and data collection approaches
(e) draw on the student's own research, including their own field data and/or secondary data, and their experience of field methodologies of the investigation of core human and physical processes
(f) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the techniques appropriate for analysing field data and information and for representing results, and show ability to select suitable quantitative or qualitative approaches and to apply them
(g) demonstrate the ability to interrogate and critically examine field data in order to comment on its accuracy and/or the extent to which it is representative, and use the experience to extend geographical understanding
(h) require the student to independently contextualise, analyse and summarise findings and data, and to draw conclusions, by applying existing knowledge, theory and concepts to order and understand field observations and identify their relation to the wider context
(i) involve the writing up of field results clearly, logically and coherently using a range of presentation methods and extended writing
(j) demonstrate the ability to answer a specific geographical question drawing effectively on evidence and theory to make a well-argued case
(k) require evaluation and reflection on the investigation including showing an understanding of the ethical dimensions of field research.

WJEC AS Level Geography

Geographical skills in equal weighting of quantitative and qualitative skills are required for GCE AS learners and the following list indicates those selected for study for Components 1 and 2 in this specification. All the skills need to be addressed within Components 1 and 2 but not all will apply to fieldwork.

1. Cartographical information:

• longitude and latitude
• map coordinates including grid references and area references
• distance and area
• direction
• scale

2. Number and statistical calculations:

• sampling, including random, stratified, systematic and the ability to identify sources of error in data, measurement errors and misuse of data
• totals
• percentages
• fractions, proportions and ratios
• data sets (small to large) including crowd-sourced and big data (characterised by volume, velocity and variety)
• frequencies
• densities
• scales of measurement
• measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode)
• measures of dispersion (range, inter-quartile range)
• measures of correlation, including a scatter plot, estimated lines of best fit and Spearman Rank

3. Cartographic and graphical material:

• isoline and isopleth maps
• choropleth maps
• dot maps
• flow diagrams and maps
• proportional symbols
• graphs, including scatter, line, bar, triangular, logarithmic, bipolar
• pie charts
• population pyramids
• cross-sections and long profiles
• rose / star / radial diagrams
• Lorenz curve

4. Digital and geo-located data:

• geospatial technologies including aerial photographs, digital images, satellite images, geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), databases
• Qualitative skills to collect data through non-numerical techniques

5. Cartographical information for:

• landscape system identification
• land-use identification
• risk assessment

6. Cartographic and graphical material:

• mental maps
• GOAD plans
• Ordnance Survey maps (1:25 000 and 1:50 000)

7. Digital and geo-located data:

• geospatial technologies including aerial photographs, digital images, satellite images, geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), databases
• field sketches

8. Textual and visual sources:

• interview material including coding
• images
• factual text
• discursive / creative material
• oral histories

WJEC A Level Geography

Geographical skills in relation to both an equal weighting of quantitative and qualitative skills are required for A level learners and the following list indicates those selected for study for all components in this specification. All the skills need to be addressed within these components but not all will apply to fieldwork.

Quantitative skills to collect data through numerical measurements.

1. Cartographical information:

• longitude and latitude
• map coordinates including grid references and area references
• distance and area
• direction
• scale

2. Number and statistical calculations:

• sampling, including random, stratified, systematic and the ability to identify sources of error in data, measurement errors and misuse of data
• totals
• percentages
• fractions, proportions and ratios
• data sets (small to large) including crowd-sourced and big data (characterised by volume, velocity and variety)
• frequencies
• densities
• scales of measurement
• measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode)
• measures of dispersion (range, standard deviation, inter-quartile range)
• measurements of concentration, including location quotient
• ratios including dependency ratio and Gini-coefficient
• indices including ecological footprint, HDI
• measures of correlation, including a scatter plot, lines of best fit and Spearman Rank
• inferential statistics, including Chi-square