A word on questionnaires and sketch maps
Marjorie Henry, Contributor

Last week, I started to give you hints on developing your different schedules to be used in obtaining your data in the field. I have already discussed the interview schedule. Today, I will continue with the questionnaire schedule. Questionnaires are the most important primary data source available in human geography. Prepare this schedule well and this will enable you to gather useful information. For this, you should:

• Prepare an introduction, which should introduce you and state the purpose for the questions.
• State the length of time the questionnaire is expected to take.
• Leave spaces for the answers.
• Include brief, clear instructions.
• Number the items.
• Logically order your questions, preferably asking the simple ones first.
• Require one of a set of alternate choices or a precise answer, making the questionnaire easy to complete.

As you develop these different schedules, you must remain focused on the aim of your study. These questions should be so structured to allow you to realise that aim.

Hints for map drawing

When you go out into your study area to do observation, it may be necessary to make sketch maps. A sketch map is a drawing of the study area. Here are some hints for drawing them:

• Mark the corners of your map
• Measure the distance if you need to make it accurate, if not, estimate it.
• Identify any features you want to include
• Label these measurements in pencil
• Redraw your map accurately after field work
• Add any special notes
• Label it clearly and construct a key

(Source: Enquiry Skills for GSCE, Donert, K.)

Having looked at some of the techniques for data collection, I would now like to turn our attention to location maps. You are required to indicate the location of your study area. This is done through maps and not a written account. At least two maps are required. One must be a map of Jamaica, showing clearly the location of the study area. The parish in which your study area is found could be highlighted and then the study area within the parish.

The second map is that of the site. It must focus on the actual area of study. This is a sketch map and, therefore, not done to scale. On this site map, you should show the layout of the area. Highlight features, such as roads (main roads, other secondary roads and roads leading to the area), the main river, settlements, aspects of relief and details which are mentioned in the account.

Attention to detail

Use appropriate colours to distinguish the different features. For example, main roads are shown in red and are wider than secondary roads, which are sometimes shown by a thin, red line or a detached red line. Drainage, for example, a river, is shown by a blue line. If the study area is along a coastline, then the sea must be indicated.

The maps must be neat, accurate and presented with all the elements required for a well-done map. Here is your checklist:

(i) Highlighted area of study

(ii) Border

(iii) Legend/key

(iv) North arrow

(v) Printed labels

(vi) Indications of the scale. If the map is not drawn to scale, this should be indicated.

May I suggest that you use a black-ink pen to write on your maps rather than various shades of blue. A word of caution - they should not be photocopied. In addition, avoid doing very large maps which must be folded several times to fit into the folder for your study.

The discussion on the school-based assessment continues in the next lesson.

Rosanne Thompson concentrates on completing her portrait. - Photo by Michael Lee

Marjorie Henry is an independent contributor.