Lecture Notes: Approaching Cambridge IGCSE Geography Paper on River Investigations

Overview

• Focus: How to approach coursework questions from the Cambridge IGCSE Geography paper on river investigations.
• Purpose: To draw out common language and points for tackling different types of questions.
• Importance of practicing with past papers emphasized.

Structure of the Video

• Divided into chapters covering different parts of the coursework:
  • Introduction
  • Data Collection
  • Data Presentation
  • Data Analysis
  • Evaluation
  • Conclusion

Exam Paper Insights

• Coursework draws on skills from Papers 1 and 2; strong foundation in these can aid introduction questions.
• Data presentation often involves completing graphs.
• Data analysis involves proving or disproving hypotheses.
• Data collection and evaluation are specific to this paper, focusing on methods of river investigation.

Common Hypotheses in River Investigations

• Based on Bradshaw Model: Characteristics change from source to mouth.
  • Increase: Width, depth, velocity, and discharge.
  • Decrease: Sediment size, gradient.
• Common hypotheses involve changes in velocity, pollution levels along the river.

Data Collection Methods

• Width and Depth: Use ranging poles, tape measure.
• Velocity: Two methods
  • Floating Object Method
  • Flow Meter Method
• Sediment Size and Shape: Use calipers and scale of roundness.
• Gradient: Use clinometer.
• Wetted Perimeter: Measure with chain or tape along riverbed.

Sampling Techniques

• Importance of selecting representative samples along the river.
• Techniques: Systematic, Random, Stratified, Stratified Systematic.

Risk Assessment

• Considerations: Weather, safety, accessibility.
• Importance of pilot study to determine feasibility and familiarize with methods.

Evaluation and Reliability

• Common factors affecting reliability: Human error, environmental changes, equipment issues.
• Methods to improve reliability: Using a pilot study, increasing sample size, calculating averages.

Data Presentation

• Techniques include bar graphs, scatter plots, cross-sectional graphs.
• Emphasized practice and familiarity with various graphing techniques.

Data Analysis

• Determine if hypotheses are proven, partially true, or false.
• Provide evidence from collected data to support conclusions.

General Advice

• Practice with a wide range of past papers.
• Incorporate mark schemes into study notes.
• Use diagrams and structured formats for clarity in answers.

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Please refer to past papers for specific types of questions and apply the guidance from this lecture to practice and improve understanding of river investigations in the context of the Cambridge IGCSE Geography paper.