What this lesson teaches
I can present fieldwork findings with clear maps, graphs, sketches and text.
Syllabus K229, Topic 1.3, Key Question 4. How to present findings?
I can read maps, graphs, photographs and texts, and separate what they show from what they suggest.
Syllabus K229, Topic 1.3, Key Question 4 (part). How to present findings?
Make a guess
On a map where circle area shows visitor numbers, the circle for Park X is twice as wide as the one for Park Y. How many more visitors does X have?
- About four times as many.
- The same number; size is just decoration.
- You can tell by counting the dots inside each circle.
- Twice as many, because it is twice as wide.
Show the answer
About four times as many.
Area grows with the square of the width. A circle twice as wide has four times the area, so it shows four times the visitors.
A map symbol might show a count, a percentage, a movement or an equal value, so always read the key first.
Read the key before comparing symbols. On a dot map, each dot stands for a fixed number. If 1 dot means 5 visitors, 4 dots mean 20 and 8 dots mean 40. A dot does not necessarily mark where one person lives.
On a proportional-symbol map, symbol size shows amount. If circle area shows visitor numbers, the circle for 40 visitors has twice the area of the one for 20. It does not have twice the width.
A choropleth map shades areas using the key's classes, usually for a rate or percentage. If 20% of households in Area A visit weekly and 40% in Area B, B has the higher share. But you need each area's total households to know which has more visiting households. When comparing maps, check the dates and class boundaries.
A flow-line map shows movement. Arrows show where a flow starts and ends; line width can show how much moves. An isoline joins places with equal values, such as 30 C. Closely spaced isolines show a big change over a short distance.
A sketch map simplifies the positions and links that matter for your question. Use points, lines and areas, add a key, and say if it is not to scale.
Describe the arrangement as well as the values. Look for clusters, lines or other shapes, and repetition, such as evenly spaced symbols. Give a location, such as a cluster in the north.
- Dot map
- Each dot stands for a fixed number.
- Choropleth
- Shading shows a rate or %, not a total.
- Isoline
- Joins equal values; close lines mean fast change.
Step by step
Read the key
Counts, percentages, movement or equal values?
Describe the pattern
Use places, directions and values.
Check what is missing
A percentage needs its total to give a count.
Worked example: Close lines mean faster change
Suppose the 30 C and 32 C isolines are 100 m apart in one place and 400 m apart in another. Temperature changes faster where they are closer. The lines show equal temperatures, not roads or wind.
Watch out for this
Doubling a circle's width doubles its value.
If area shows value, doubling the width makes the area four times bigger. Read the key.
Check your understanding
Area A is 20% and Area B is 40% on a choropleth map. What can you conclude?
- B's share is twice as high, but counts need totals.
- Households in B visit twice as often as households in A.
- B has exactly twice as many visiting households.
Show the answer
B's share is twice as high, but counts need totals.
Yes. For example, 20% of 1000 is 200, but 40% of 100 is only 40.