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EnglandGeography

Component 4: Independent Investigation (NEA)

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do I collect reliable primary and secondary data, and choose a sampling strategy?

Primary and secondary data collection; random, systematic and stratified sampling; sample size and bias; and the planning of safe, ethical fieldwork.
An Eduqas A-Level Geography guide to data collection and sampling in the independent investigation, covering primary and secondary data, quantitative and qualitative methods, random, systematic and stratified sampling, sample size and bias, and the planning of safe, ethical fieldwork including risk assessment, with examples.
12 min answer →

Which geographical and statistical skills do I need, and how do I apply a statistical test?

The four AO3 skill areas (cartographic, graphical, numerical and statistical, and fieldwork and geospatial); descriptive statistics; and correlation and significance tests such as Spearman's rank.
An Eduqas A-Level Geography guide to the AO3 geographical and statistical skills, covering the four skill areas (cartographic, graphical, numerical and statistical, and fieldwork and geospatial), descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation), and correlation and significance tests including Spearman's rank with a full KaTeX worked calculation.
13 min answer →

How do I present, analyse and critically evaluate my data to reach defensible conclusions?

Data presentation techniques; analysis and interpretation; reaching evidence-based conclusions; and the critical evaluation of reliability, validity and limitations.
An Eduqas A-Level Geography guide to data presentation, analysis, conclusions and evaluation in the independent investigation, covering choosing presentation techniques (located bar charts, choropleth maps, scatter graphs, kite diagrams), analysis and interpretation, evidence-based conclusions, and the critical evaluation of reliability, validity and limitations, with examples.
12 min answer →

How do I plan, carry out and write up a high-quality independent geographical investigation?

The independent investigation as a route to enquiry; choosing a question and hypotheses; the structure and marking of the non-examined assessment; and the fieldwork requirement.
An Eduqas A-Level Geography guide to the independent investigation (Component 4, the non-examined assessment), covering the route to enquiry, choosing a focused question and hypotheses, the structure and 3,000 to 4,000 word report, the four assessment objectives, the four-day fieldwork requirement and how the marks are earned.
12 min answer →