Methodology

This is a very important part of your project and with the introduction is worth a total of 40 marks (see the mark scheme)

Here you are describing WHAT data you collected, HOW and WHY?

YOUR METHODOLOGY SHOULD BE WRITTEN IN TWO PARTS: 

1. Identifying where the CBD was in the 1970s

• Remember, you couldn’t go out on fieldwork and collect raw data for this as you were looking back in time; you are therefore very reliant on secondary data / information – talk about the significance / limitations of this and need to cross reference data
• You need to fully explain how and why you shaded and used the GOAD map
• Explain what secondary source you used – e.g. St Ives background from the GeoBytes website and personal research
• HOW did you decide where the CBD was?

2. Identifying the location of the CBD in 2007

• How you worked in groups
• How you designed your data collection sheet – you MUST explain what data you wanted to collect, how you were going to collect the data (e.g. traffic count for 10 mins but why?) and justify why you needed to collect that data. REMEMBER all your data collection is to help you identify WHERE the CBD is today.
• include one copy of your data collection sheet this will go in your appendix (at the very back of your project)
• you could include a location map to show the 4 streets where you collected data, (remember a heading and labels are needed)
• you need to explain how the data collection when on the day? What did you actually collect and how? Were there any problems on the day or things that affected data collection? e.g. larger numbers of pedestrians because it was market day? figures affected by time of day etc. / Bridge street being pedestrianised affecting traffic counts etc.
• What other additional data did you collect? This should be anything that shows your initiative (you get extra marks for this) e.g. photographs, property prices, landvalues, sketches etc.