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GCSE Geography Controlled Assessment

Name……………………………………….

2010

How to write the coursework

CCEA

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1. How to produce a title page

“A study of how river characteristics change downstream”

Name: Exam Candidate Number:

Relevant photograph /picture/ newspaper

article

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Introduction (a) Introduction (10 marks) The four main elements of the introduction are: · clear and concise statement of aims and the theoretical context; · spatial context; · list of hypotheses to be tested; and · methodology. A relevant location map is necessary. Brief reference only should be made to the theoretical context for the study.

1. Introduction to the coursework question • Explain to the reader why you choose a river study

and why you choose the title question over others. (See planning lesson)

e.g The topic we decided to focus on for our course work was rivers. As a class we decided upon rivers because …… , we discussed the possibilities of studying …… but decided that …………. After we had decided the topic, we then had to chose a key question we would investigate. The question chosen was ‘How does the Glenarm River change from the source to the mouth?’ I feel this is a good question because ….. it was chosen over others because …. etc

• Explain to the reader that to help you answer the main

title question, you divided it into smaller questions. These are called hypothesis.

• Clearly copy out the hypothesis below

Section A - . Channel Shape The shape of the Glenarm river will increase downstream Section B - River Speed /velocity The velocity of the Glenarm river will increase downstream and is linked to depth. Section C - Bedload The bedload in the Glenarm River will become more rounded and smaller as you move down stream.

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2. Introduction to the study area

• Introduce the reader to the Glenarm River; try to find out some facts about the area and the river. Explain why you think the Glenarm River is a good river to study. (i.e explain why it is more suitable than rivers like the Lagan or Bann?)

• Describe, using words where the Glenarm River is and where the three different sites are located. Try to explain why these 3 sites where chosen. You should use 6 figure grid references)

Site 1 = (308, 148) Site 2 = (304,139) Site 3 (Wolf water) = (297,042) This is taken from OS Discovery Series 1:50,000 e.g you should explain that the three sites represent the upper, middle and lower course of a river, that they were accessible to us by bus and with limited time, they were safe to use, on public land

• Neatly draw or download a map similar to those

below: (remember title /scale / key) (maps of the Glenarm river can be found at: http://www.thinkgeography.org.uk or search on google if you put in Glenarm ward map get best result e.g http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/mapxtreme/DetailedMaps/SOA/Glenarm.jpg)

Map of Ireland showing Glens of Antrim

This map shows the location of Glens of Antrim. They are located in the North East of Ireland in county Antrim etc

Scale 1cm = 50 miles

Scale: Key:

Map of Glenarm River showing the

different sites

Site 1 (lower)

Site 2 (Middle) Site 3 (Upper)

Scale 1cm = 10 miles

Scale: Key:

Map of N. Ireland Showing study area

This is the location of Glenarm river, it starts ……. And flows into the Irish Sea at the village of Glenarm etc Scale 1cm = 20 miles

Scale: Key:

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3. Methodology / Methods used • Accurately describe how you collected the data and why

you collected this data. • Use the following sub titles:

- Introduction to the measurements taken - Width and depth measurements - Velocity measurements - Bedload measurements

You description should be clear to someone who has never taken the measurements before. To achieve this use suitable diagrams and photos to illustrate the equipment and methods used. Some pictures can be found on: http://www.thinkgeography.org.uk (e.g Width and Depth measurements How -To measure the width we …. The photo below shows how the width is measured. The depth was taken by ….. the diagram and labelled photo below show how this is carried out. Why -The depth measurement was taken every 30cm so that we could see how the depth changed across the channel. The reason why 30 cm was selected was because ….. etc ……) Tape measure stretched across the river

Meter stick used to measure the depth

Safety rope

River Cliff on the outside of the bend

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Introduction checklist

• The overall aim of the investigation and its theoretical

context based on the learning outcomes stated • Spatial context:

o One regional map showing location in NI context and/ or

o An OS map of the location of the data collection using GIS

• A list of the objectives or hypotheses to be tested • Methods of data collection described

Marking criteria (a) Introduction Band 1 (1–3 marks) The candidate provides a simple statement of the aim and hypothesis of the investigation. The candidate provides a brief, general description of the work in the field. Spatial context is limited Band 2 (4–7 marks) The candidate outlines the aim and hypothesis of the investigation and provides a spatial context for the study. The candidate describes the methods they use in the field with a fair degree of accuracy. Band 3 (8–10 marks) The candidate states the aim and hypothesis clearly and concisely. The candidate clearly provides the spatial context of the investigation. The candidate describes the methodology used precisely. The candidate demonstrates a clear understanding of the methodology