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Collecting and presenting data are important steps, but the real value of any geographical investigation comes from the analysis — the process of examining your data to identify patterns, trends, anomalies and relationships, and then using geographical knowledge to explain what you find. Analysis is where you demonstrate your understanding of geography, not just your ability to measure things.
In the Edexcel B exam, analysis questions typically carry higher marks (4–8 marks) because they require you to go beyond description and show interpretation — linking data to geographical processes, theories and case studies.
Many students lose marks by describing their data when the question asks them to analyse or explain it. Understanding the difference is crucial:
| Skill | What It Involves | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Describe | State what the data shows — patterns, values, trends | "Pebble size decreases from 85mm at Site A to 18mm at Site H" |
| Analyse | Break down the data to find patterns, relationships and anomalies | "There is a strong negative correlation (rs = -0.95) between distance and pebble size, with the greatest rate of decrease in the upper course" |
| Explain | Use geographical knowledge to say why the pattern exists | "Pebble size decreases downstream due to the processes of attrition (pebbles collide and break apart) and abrasion (pebbles are worn smooth by rubbing against the riverbed)" |
| Interpret | Combine description, analysis and explanation to make sense of the data in a geographical context | "The data supports the Bradshaw model prediction that sediment size decreases downstream, with attrition and abrasion being the dominant processes, particularly in the upper course where gradient is steepest and energy highest" |
Exam Tip: If a question says "analyse" or "interpret," you must go beyond description. State the pattern, quantify it with data, and then explain it using geographical knowledge. The formula is: Pattern + Evidence + Explanation.
A pattern is a recognisable arrangement or distribution in the data. A trend is the general direction of change.
| Pattern Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Increasing trend | Values get larger over time or distance | River discharge increases downstream |
| Decreasing trend | Values get smaller over time or distance | Pebble size decreases downstream |
| Positive correlation | As one variable increases, the other increases | Distance from source vs river width |
| Negative correlation | As one variable increases, the other decreases | Distance from CBD vs land values |
| Cyclic pattern | Values rise and fall in a repeating cycle | Pedestrian counts higher at lunchtime, lower in early morning |
| Cluster | Values are grouped together in a particular area or range | Most pebbles at coastal sites are 20–40mm in size |
| Spatial pattern | A geographical distribution across an area | Highest environmental quality scores in suburban areas, lowest in the inner city |
| Uniform distribution | Values are evenly spread | Sampling points along a transect |
| Random distribution | No discernible pattern | Litter distribution across a park |
When describing patterns, use the following framework:
Example of a strong pattern description:
"There is a clear negative relationship between distance downstream and mean pebble size. At Site A (0.5 km from the source), mean pebble size was 85 mm, decreasing progressively to 18 mm at Site H (4.0 km from the source). The rate of decrease was greatest between Sites A and C (upper course), where pebble size dropped by 27 mm in 1.0 km, compared with only 7 mm per km in the lower course (Sites F to H). Site D was a slight anomaly, with pebbles slightly larger than expected at 45 mm, possibly due to a tributary joining the river and introducing coarser sediment."
An anomaly is a data point or value that does not fit the general pattern. Anomalies are not mistakes to be ignored — they are features to be investigated and explained.
| Cause | Example |
|---|---|
| Measurement error | The flow meter was not properly calibrated at one site |
| Sampling error | A randomly selected pebble happened to be unusually large |
| Local factors | A tributary joins the river, increasing discharge unexpectedly |
| Human interference | A weir or bridge changes the natural flow pattern |
| Temporal variation | Heavy rain the previous day increased discharge at one site |
| Microclimate effects | A sheltered spot has different conditions from exposed areas |
Exam Tip: Never ignore anomalies. If you spot one, describe it clearly ("Site D had a mean pebble size of 45 mm, which is higher than the downward trend would predict"), and then suggest a possible explanation ("This may be because a tributary joins the river just upstream of Site D, introducing coarser sediment from its catchment area").
When analysing maps and spatial data, you need to describe distributions — how things are spread across an area.
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