Introduction to the Independent Investigation

Welcome to the most personal part of your A Level Geography course! The Independent Investigation (also known as the Non-Exam Assessment or NEA) is your chance to step away from the textbook and act like a professional geographer. Instead of sitting an exam, you will choose a geographical topic that fascinates you, go out into the field to collect data, and write up your findings in a formal report. This is where you bring the subject to life!

The Basics: What is Component 04/05?

In the OCR specification, this unit is officially called Investigative Geography. It is worth 20% of your total A Level grade (60 marks). Here are the key "rules" you need to know:
  • Independence: You must define your own research question or issue. While your teacher can provide guidance, the focus and direction of the study must be yours.
  • Word Count: The recommended length for your final report is between 3000 and 4000 words.
  • Connection to the Syllabus: Your investigation must relate to any part of the Geography specification you have studied (e.g., Coastal Landscapes, Changing Spaces; Making Places, or Hazardous Earth).
  • Assessment: Your work is marked by your teachers at your school or college and then checked (moderated) by OCR.

Quick Note: Unlike your other units, the specific fieldwork skills you learn are only assessed here. They will not appear in the written exam papers for Components 01, 02, or 03.

Fieldwork Requirements

To complete your A Level, you are required to undertake at least four days of fieldwork across the entire course. This fieldwork must cover:
  1. Physical Geography processes (e.g., measuring beach profiles or river discharge).
  2. Human Geography processes (e.g., conducting surveys on urban rebranding or social inequality).
For your specific NEA, you will use some of this fieldwork time to collect the data you need for your individual project.

Step 1: Defining Your Question

Every great investigation starts with a clear Research Question or Hypothesis. This should be a specific question that you can actually answer using data. Top Tip: Avoid questions that are too broad. Instead of asking "How do coasts change?", try "To what extent does Longshore Drift influence the sediment size at [Specific Beach]?". Key Takeaway: Your question must be linked to the OCR specification. If you are interested in social inequality (Topic 2.1), your investigation should focus on how that inequality is measured or represented in a specific place.

Step 2: Data Collection

To answer your question, you will need two types of information:
  • Primary Data: This is "raw" information that you collect yourself in the field. This could involve measurements, observations, or surveys. It has not been manipulated by anyone else before you get it.
  • Secondary Data: This is data that already exists, collected by someone else. Examples include Census data, maps, or previous geographical studies.
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Skills
You should aim for a balance between these two approaches in your investigation:
  • Quantitative Skills: These involve numbers and statistics. You might use descriptive statistics like the mean, median, or standard deviation to describe your data. (For more details on these, see the "Quantitative skills" chapter).
  • Qualitative Skills: These involve non-numerical data like interviews, photographs, or looking at how a place is represented in the media. (For more details on these, see the "Qualitative skills" chapter).

Step 3: Analysing and Presenting Data

Once you have your data, you need to show what it means. This involves:
  • Data Presentation: Using maps, graphs, and diagrams to make your data visual.
  • Data Analysis: Using statistical tests (like Spearman’s Rank or Chi-squared) to see if there are patterns or significant relationships in your numbers. For example, you might calculate if \(r_s\) (the correlation coefficient) shows a strong relationship between two variables.
  • GIS (Geographical Information Systems): Using digital tools to map your data and look for spatial patterns.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't just describe your graphs. You need to interpret them. Ask yourself: Why does this pattern exist? Does it link back to the geographical theories I learned in class?

Step 4: Drawing Conclusions and Evaluating

The final part of your report is where you answer your original question.
  • Conclusions: Summarise what you found. Does your data support your hypothesis?
  • Evaluation: This is a critical look at your own work. You should discuss measurement errors, the limitations of your sampling methods, and how reliable your results are.

Quick Review: The NEA Journey

1. Choose a Topic: Link it to the OCR syllabus.
2. Plan: Create a specific research question and decide on your sampling strategy.
3. Fieldwork: Collect your primary data (over at least 4 days of total course fieldwork).
4. Secondary Research: Find existing data to support your study.
5. Write-up: Create a 3000-4000 word report with data presentation, analysis, and evaluation.
6. Submit: Your work contributes 20% to your final A Level grade.

Did You Know?

The NEA is a great way to build "soft skills" for university or future jobs. You are practicing project management, data analysis, and critical thinking—all while exploring a part of the world that interests you!
Checklist for a Successful Investigation
  • Does my question relate to the OCR specification?
  • Have I used both primary and secondary data?
  • Is my report within the 3000-4000 word range?
  • Have I used a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods?
  • Have I evaluated the limitations of my study (e.g., potential for error)?

For specific help on how to use statistical tests or GIS in your investigation, please refer to the "Quantitative skills" and "Geo-located data and GIS" chapters in this section.