As a result of studying the content, candidates should acquire and develop a range of subject specific as well as general skills :
Skill in selecting and extracting relevant data from sources such as:
books, journals, reports, the media, maps at a range of scales, statistics, censuses, graphs, photographs, satellite images, people, information stored in an IT format.
Skill in collecting data in the field using techniques including:
field sketching, land use mapping, questionnaires, interviews, environmental assessments;
the use of simple instruments and equipment for measuring and recording such as soil testing kits, clinometers, measuring tapes, compasses, an automatic weather station, cameras, tape recorders.
Skill in interpreting data by:
identifying patterns, trends and relationships in data such as:
OS maps at a variety of scales;
atlas maps, route maps and plans, thematic maps (for instance maps showing weather, geology, land use, population and economic data);
ground and air photographs and satellite images;
graphs (including bar, line, scatter and triangular graphs) and other ways of representing statistical data such as histograms, pie charts and star charts;
identifying bias, meaning and purpose in media sources, promotional material, cartoons.
Skill in using evidence, analysing and synthesising data, to reach conclusions and to evaluate critically their own findings and those of others.
Skill in communicating the outcomes of their work in geography by:
representing data in a variety of map and graphic forms;
drawing sketch maps and field sketches;
using geographical vocabulary;
writing reports and discussing their findings with others.
Skill in planning their own geographical investigations by drawing upon the skills listed above and by identifying appropriate questions and strategies.
