Edexcel GCSE Geography B Topic 6 Geographical investigations: a complete overview of physical and human fieldwork

What Topic 6 actually demands

Geographical investigations is Section C of Paper 2. It is not a separate body of content but a set of skills applied to two fieldwork enquiries: one physical (a coast or river) and one human (an urban or rural area). Edexcel B tests both your own fieldwork and unfamiliar fieldwork, so you must know the enquiry process inside out.

This guide walks through the enquiry process for both investigations, then sets out the exam patterns Edexcel B repeats. Each investigation has a matching dot-point page; this overview ties them together.

The enquiry process

Both investigations follow the same six-stage process: form a question or hypothesis, plan and collect data, present it, analyse it, reach a conclusion, and evaluate. The difference is the environment and the methods.

The key skill across both is justifying each choice by linking it back to the aim.

The physical investigation

For the physical investigation (coast or river), you might test "river velocity increases downstream" or "beach sediment gets smaller along the beach". You need quantitative methods (velocity, channel width, pebble size, beach profile), a qualitative method (field sketch, environmental quality survey), and secondary data including a geology or flood-risk map. Sampling can be systematic, random or stratified.

The human investigation

For the human investigation (urban or rural), you might test "environmental quality improves away from the city centre" or "the village functions as a commuter settlement". You need quantitative methods (environmental quality surveys, pedestrian and traffic counts, questionnaires with rating scales), a qualitative method (field sketch, open questions), and secondary data such as census or deprivation data. Reducing bias is especially important here.

How Topic 6 is examined

A typical Edexcel B profile for Topic 6:

• Own fieldwork questions. Explaining your question, methods, sampling, data, conclusion and evaluation.
• Unfamiliar fieldwork questions. Choosing the best presentation technique for given data and spotting weaknesses in a described method.
• Data response. Reading and interpreting graphs, maps and tables of fieldwork results.
• Extended answers. Evaluating the reliability of conclusions or how methods could be improved, with a reasoned judgement and SPaG marks at stake.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall and applied questions covering Topic 6. Attempt them under timed conditions, then check against the solutions.

1. State the six stages of the enquiry process. (3 marks)
2. State one quantitative and one qualitative method for a coastal investigation. (2 marks)
3. Explain why repeating a measurement three times improves an investigation. (3 marks)
4. State one secondary data source for a human investigation. (1 mark)
5. Explain one way bias could affect a questionnaire and how to reduce it. (3 marks)
6. Explain why the evaluation is an important stage of an enquiry. (3 marks)