How to Present a Project

The first thing needed is a hypothesis to investigate. A hypothesis is a statement that you will prove to be true or false. You may be given the hypothesis by your teacher or you may need to investigate and write it yourself.

It should be based on a key question, for example : Most people from the Stirling Shopping Centre come from outside Stirling.

The introduction should be a piece of writing describing what you're studying, don't forget to give details on the background and preparation of the project.

The introduction should contain :

1. Geographical Background

• This refers to the Geographical theories, models or ideas.

•  In this section you need to discuss the topic you are studying, for example if you are studying Volcanoes, you should discuss what they are, their location in relation to tectonic plate boundaries, and type of volcano. 

2. Hypothesis

• Here you have to explain the hypothesis that you are going to study and test.

• Describe what you expect to find and explain your reasons that have taken you to formulate this hypothesis, is the teacher has given you the hypothesis give your own view on the teacher's hypothesis

• Refer to text books for "theory" that will back up your reasons.

3. Reason for hypothesis

• Give a reason why you have chosen this topic and hypothesis.

4. Key Words

• List a number of geographical terms that you will use throughout the investigation.

• Write a definition for each, it's a good idea to highlight these through the investigation of if you are doing it on a computer format you can hyperlink to the page where you explain the key words.

5. Location Description

• The geographical location where the study has taken place must be described in detail, include the information you can find in reference about the site and situation. You should also mention why this ares has been chosen for this project giving details on why its such a good site for this study .

• Include a series of maps to show the location of the site with as much detail as possible, don't forget to include keys where necessary:
  o Don't just photocopy or print a map, if you are using made maps include annotations on your maps.
  o Don't forget to mention the scale of the map and what are it covers.
  o If you can use grid references, directions and distances.
  o Don't forget to include a well labeled sketch map.
   

6. Data

• Once you have completed the previous sections, state what data you wish to collect, where you will collect it from (don't forget if you are using books or the internet to help you with the project these should also be mentioned) as well as how you are going to present and analyse it.

• Mention what type of sampling method you are going to use.

• What method of fieldwork you are going to use for each type of data.

Part 1 - Planning for the field trip

• Before starting the project you must need to think what information you will need to collect to complete the investigation.

• Don't forget to concentrate your information gathering on your hypothesis.

Task 1

• You will have to use as many different info gathering tecnhiques as possible to get the information needed for example :

• interviews

• observations

• surveys

• questionnaires

• pedestrian count

• car count

Task 2

• If you are going to use questionnaire dont forget to design it first, make sure that the questions will give you answers that can be represented in graphs and tables. 

Part 2 - Writing your method

• When you write your method it needs to be written in a way that anyone who reads it can follow it.

• You need to go into lots of detail giving reasons for the methods you have chosen.

• Make a planning sheet to help you.

• Draw and complete a table to illustrate the methods you have used.

• Describe you each piece of information will be gathered and the reasons why this method has been gathered.
   

Table to represent methods.

 The best idea is to combine data presentation with data interpretation, under each map, graph or diagram you can describe the result and include a paragraph explaining them.

Use :

• Maps; location maps, sketch maps ...

• Graphs and charts; line graphs, bar charts, pie charts ...

• Tables; to include more specific information.

• Photos, diagrams or sketches. These should be used to illustate all your project.

Don't forget to correctly label them all (don't forget to give them a title) and if they need it include a key.

• If you use a questionnaire don't forget to include it in your project.

• Data collection sheets should also be included.

• Don't just mention the obvious, explain the information with your words.

• Identify and links between the data you have collected.

• Make sure you make references to numerical data.

• Here you must summarise your results to reach a decision related to your hypothesis.

• You must give explained reason either accepting or rejecting the hypothesis.

Here you must describe how you method could be improved by questioning how the reliability of the methods you used to collect the information have affected the accuracy of the results.

Points you should evaluate :

• Has enough data been collected ?

• Were there any problems collecting the data ?

• Would the results have changed if more or different data had been collected ?

• How would you improve the method if you were to repeat the project ?

• Do you consider the results accurate ?

• Identify which results support the hypothesis giving reasons.

• Identify which results reject the hypothesis giving reasons.