Aims & Hypothesis
Aims/Hypothesis
- Fieldwork is based around an enquiry into a 'real life' issue
- This is linked to the content in the specification and then related to a place-specific context
- All fieldwork begins with the aims and hypothesis
- The aim explains what the enquiry is attempting to achieve
- An investigation into changes in beach profiles along Mappleton Beach
- An investigation into the impact of building a wind farm in rural Lincolnshire
- The hypothesis needs to be clear, directional and measurable, it is a statement which can be tested
- River discharge increases with distance from the source of the River Dove
- Environmental quality increases with distance from the new housing estate in Swanland, East Yorkshire
- Aims and hypothesis may be based on what is already known about the topic. For example, Bradshaw's model in rivers
Exam Tip
When answering Hypotheses questions that ask whether you agree or not, always give your opinion at the start of your answer before any supporting evidence. This will usually be Yes, No or Partially True /True to some extent.
Do not just copy out the Hypothesis if you agree with it. It is important to make a decision and state it as well as provide the evidence for your choice. Be clear in your decision –expressions such as ‘might be true’, ‘could be false’, ‘true and false’ are too vague.
