Introduction

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

understand how to use your course book
understand why environmental management is important
understand the key skills in environmental management:
planning investigations
identifying limitations and suggesting improvements
presenting explanations for phenomena, patterns and relationships
making judgements and reaching conclusions.

Read

Read pages iv–xiv of your course book. You will need to understand and be able to explain the key skills for environmental management before you move on to Module 1. The skills will be used in all assignments and in your exams. Pay particular attention to the key points listed below.

Key Points:

Any investigation should follow an ordered sequence of stages, beginning with deciding on aims and a clear hypothesis which can be tested by collecting the correct data.
Data can be qualitative (descriptive) or quantitative (numerical), and primary (collected by you) or secondary (from another source). Data can be collected through various types of sampling and should avoid bias. Before beginning data collection, a pilot survey should be conducted and any equipment checked and calibrated. Data should be recorded in a table.
Always consider possible limitations to data, such as sampling quality, weather conditions, bias and human subjectiveness.
Data should be presented clearly so that relationships and patterns can be analysed. Possible graphs include line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, histograms and scattergraphs. Numerical analysis can involve finding the average (mean, median, mode) and the range (e.g. interquartile range).
Once data has been analysed, you should be able to conclude by accepting or rejecting the hypothesis and suggesting possible reasons for this outcome. The investigation should also be evaluated by suggesting areas of weakness and possibilities for further study.

Task

Task 1: Write definitions for each of these terms: independent variable, dependent variable, null hypothesis, alternative hypothesis, random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified sampling.

Links

Use the following links to extend your understanding.

The following link provides a clear explanation of each type of graph:

EXPLORE - Types of Graph (BYJU'S)

A five minute video on sampling techniques:

WATCH - Sampling: Simple Random, Convenience, Systematic, Cluster & Stratified (YouTube)

Download

Read the following for more detail on conducting a logical investigation:

READ - Geographical Investigations (FSC)

Extension Material

Use the resource below if you would like to explore this topic in more detail. It provides excellent detailed information on variables, sampling, graphs etc.:

EXPLORE - Statistics and Sampling (Wyzant)