004 - Quality and treatment of information collected.

Activity One - Graphs

For this section you need to convert your raw data that you collected on the day trip to L'Asse into a range of graphs. You should only use data that is directly relevant to your hypothesis. You should use a range of skills and they must present the data effectively. All your graphs, diagrams and photographs should be fully integrated into the analysis section. They should not be in a section on their own.

'Appropriate Techniques' - What?

The IBO DP Geography guide asks for the most 'appropriate' techniques be use to display the data but what does this mean?

• • • • • • • Effective

            • Well used

            • Good quality of presentation

Graphs - Examples

It is entirely up to you what types of graphs you use but do try and make sure you bottom axis shows the distance from the source if you are doing a line graph. The types of graphs that you could use (this list isn't finite) include:

• • • • • • • Bar graphs - to show bedload size

            • Line graphs - to show velocity, width, depth, wetted perimeter or long profile of the river

            • Scattergraphs - to show the relationship between data such as velocity and discharge

            • Proportional circles - to show velocity or sediment size

            • Located bar graphs

            • Cross sectional diagrams - to show area, width and depth of the river

Once you have decided what types of graphs to use then you need to make sure that they all have:

• • • • • • • Figure Number

            • Title

            • Axis Labelled

            • Label or annotate any data that stands out

Calculation for the Flow Meter

To convert flow velocity from “revolutions per minute” to m/sec; Multiply the count x 0.000854 and add 0.05.

Velocity Conversion Chart

Visual Evidence

You should also include visual evidence of what you saw. This could be in the form of sketch diagrams or photographs. Which ever method you chose you need to make sure you 'add value'. This means that they either need to be labelled or annotated and then referred to in the body of your analysis.

• • • • • • Remember every image needs a figure number and a title.

Useful Resource

Annotated Sketch Diagram

Statistical Analysis

I would strongly encourage you to include some form of statistical analysis in you IA as it will help to show how strong your correlations are. A member of the Maths department will come in and talk through how to use statistical tests with the data you have collected. Examples of statistical tests include:

• • • • • • Chi Square

          • Spearman Rank (Pearson's Coefficient

Useful Resources

Barcelona Field Studies Centre - Spearman Rank Correlation

Tutorial - Chi Square

How will I be Assessed?

You will be assessed using the criteria below, make sure you read it carefully.

Image One - Assessment Criteria - Quality and treatment of information collected