GeographyQ&A by dot point

The shape of Advanced Higher Geography: a skills-based course built on map interpretation, gathering and processing techniques and geographical data handling, assessed by a 50-mark question paper and a 100-mark project-folio.

The 100-mark project-folio overview: two independently produced parts, the geographical study (60 marks) and the geographical issue (40 marks), externally marked by SQA.

The 50-mark question paper: a 2 hour 30 minute exam split between map interpretation (20 marks), gathering and processing techniques (10 marks) and geographical data handling (20 marks), using a 1:25,000 OS map, supplementary items and an atlas.

The SCQF level and grading: Advanced Higher Geography is SCQF level 7, worth 32 SCQF credit points, graded A to D out of 150 marks across two externally marked components.

Designing research and fieldwork: setting aims and hypotheses, choosing appropriate primary and secondary techniques, planning a sampling strategy and location, and piloting before collecting data.

Evaluating fieldwork techniques: judging the reliability, accuracy and limitations of a method and its data, identifying sources of error and bias, and suggesting improvements.

Human fieldwork techniques: environmental quality survey, pedestrian and traffic surveys, perception studies, and urban and rural land use mapping, including how each is conducted and what it reveals.

Physical fieldwork techniques: beach profile, micro-climate, pebble, slope, soil, stream and vegetation analysis, including the equipment, the measurements taken and what each technique reveals.

Questionnaire and interview design and implementation: writing clear unbiased questions, choosing open and closed formats, sampling respondents, and conducting interviews to gather reliable primary data.

Inferential techniques: chi-squared analysis for association, linear regression for the relationship between two variables, and nearest neighbour analysis for settlement or point patterns.

Descriptive statistics: measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and measures of dispersion (range, interquartile range, standard deviation, standard error of the mean, coefficient of variation).

Graphical presentation of data: bipolar analysis, dispersion diagram, kite diagram, logarithmic graph, polar graph, systems diagrams, scattergraph and triangular graph, and choosing the right graph for the data.

Handling data types and sampling: distinguishing nominal, ordinal and interval data, and choosing random, regular or stratified sampling, so that the right presentation and statistical test can be selected.

Mapping and map-based diagrams: annotated overlay, choropleth map, cross section, dot map, flow line map, isoline map, proportional symbols, sphere of influence map and transect, and choosing the right one for the data.

Correlation tests: Spearman's rank correlation for ranked data and Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient for interval data, interpreting the coefficient and its significance.

Interpreting human features: reading settlement site, situation, shape and function, communications, and land use from map symbols, and explaining how relief and other factors shape them.

Interpreting relief and landforms: reading contours, spot heights and gradient, recognising slopes, valleys, ridges and physical features, and using map evidence to describe and explain the landscape.

Using OS maps in the question paper: reading the 1:25,000 Explorer sheet, giving four and six-figure grid references, working with scale, measuring distances and drawing to scale.

Using supplementary items: combining the OS map with photographs, sketches, cross-sections, transects, graphical information and data tables, and cross-referencing them to build an evidenced response.

Planning and writing the folio: building a sound methodology and sampling plan, structuring the write-up, referencing sources, and managing the folio independently to meet the SQA submission date.

The geographical issue: the 40-mark critical evaluation of a current complex issue, justifying the choice, summarising and evaluating a wide range of viewpoints, and reaching reasoned conclusions supported by evidence.

The geographical study: the 60-mark independent investigation that plans a methodology, gathers primary and secondary data, and processes, analyses and interprets it using mapping, graphical and statistical techniques.