You are viewing a free preview of this lesson.
Subscribe to unlock all 10 lessons in this course and every other course on LearningBro.
The AQA A-Level Geography specification requires students to study places at a range of scales and to develop fieldwork skills through independent investigation. This lesson provides a comprehensive framework for conducting place case studies, comparing contrasting places, and linking fieldwork to the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA). It covers methodology, data collection, presentation, analysis, and evaluation.
The local place study requires students to investigate a place they know — their home area, school neighbourhood, or a nearby community — using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The aim is to develop a deep, multi-dimensional understanding of the place, drawing on the theoretical frameworks covered in earlier lessons.
A rigorous place study follows a systematic approach:
Strong place study questions:
| Weak Question | Strong Question |
|---|---|
| "What is my local area like?" | "How has gentrification changed the sense of place in [neighbourhood] since 2010?" |
| "Is my area deprived?" | "To what extent do IMD indicators align with residents' perceptions of deprivation in [LSOA]?" |
| "Do people like living here?" | "How do insider and outsider perspectives of [place] differ, and what factors explain these differences?" |
| Method | What It Measures | How to Conduct |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental quality survey | Physical quality of the built environment | Score features (litter, graffiti, building condition, green space, noise) on a scale at multiple locations |
| Land use mapping | Types of activity in an area | Walk systematically through the area, recording the use of every building/plot on a base map |
| Pedestrian count | Footfall and activity levels | Count pedestrians passing a fixed point during a set time period; repeat at different times/locations |
| Traffic count | Vehicle volumes and types | Count vehicles passing a fixed point; classify by type (car, bus, HGV, bicycle) |
| Building age/condition survey | Physical character of the built environment | Record architectural style, building materials, approximate age, and condition |
| Perception survey | Quantified subjective responses | Administer structured questionnaires with Likert scales and semantic differentials |
| House price data | Economic value of property | Record estate agent asking prices for a sample of properties; compare across areas |
| Method | What It Captures | How to Conduct |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-structured interviews | Individual perspectives and experiences | Prepare a topic guide with 5-8 open-ended questions; record and transcribe responses |
| Walking interviews | Place-based memories and perceptions | Walk through the study area with a participant, using the environment as a prompt for conversation |
| Mental maps | Cognitive representations of place | Ask participants to draw a map of the area from memory; analyse what is included/excluded |
| Photography | Visual evidence of place character | Systematic photographic survey of the area; photo-voice with participants |
| Oral histories | Long-term change and memory | Record older residents' memories of the area; focus on change over time |
| Field sketches | Visual recording with annotation | Sketch key views/features; annotate with observations about land use, building condition, activity |
| Strategy | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Random | Every location/person has an equal chance of selection | When you want to avoid bias; requires a sampling frame |
| Systematic | Select at regular intervals (e.g., every 5th house, every 50m along a transect) | When you want even spatial coverage |
| Stratified | Divide population into subgroups and sample from each | When you want to compare groups (e.g., by age, length of residence) |
| Purposive | Select participants who can provide specific insights | When you want expert or specialised knowledge |
| Opportunity | Select whoever is available and willing | When time is limited; risk of bias |
The specification requires comparison of places with contrasting demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and place-identity characteristics. This might involve:
| Dimension | Near Place | Far Place |
|---|---|---|
| Personal connection | Direct experience; insider knowledge | Known through media, data, or brief visits |
| Data availability | Primary data collection possible | Reliance on secondary data |
| Cultural familiarity | Shared cultural context | May involve cross-cultural interpretation |
| Research methods | Full range of primary methods | Secondary data; virtual fieldwork; limited primary data |
A systematic comparison should address:
Subscribe to continue reading
Get full access to this lesson and all 10 lessons in this course.