What this lesson teaches
I can draw a supported conclusion and evaluate the data and the methods used to collect and present it.
Syllabus 8834, Fieldwork, 3. Post-fieldwork stage. Students should be able to: draw conclusions in relation to the question/hypothesis posed; Evaluate the validity of the fieldwork in terms of data collected and methods used to collect and present data.
Make a guess
Your fieldwork results do not support your hypothesis. Has the investigation failed?
- Yes, so you should change the data to fit.
- Yes. A good investigation proves its hypothesis.
- No, because hypotheses do not matter.
- No. Not supporting a prediction is a result.
Show the answer
No. Not supporting a prediction is a result.
A good investigation tests a hypothesis honestly. Explain what the evidence shows, the exceptions and the limits.
Give a careful answer, weigh the most important limitations and explain how each one affects the conclusion.
Go back to your exact question or hypothesis. Give the main answer using your strongest evidence, then explain exceptions. Separate what your sample shows from what you can claim about everyone. Not supporting your prediction is still a valid result.
Evaluate your data and methods. Did the indicators measure what you intended? Were key groups and times included? Did instruments or observers add error? Charts can also mislead through grouping, scales or missing totals.
Explain effects, not just flaws. "The sample was small" is not enough. Which comparison became uncertain? Which group was missing? A biased sample matters more than a small rounding error.
Suggest practical fixes linked to each effect. In the 10-mark fieldwork question, apply methods to the given context. A memorised list of strengths and weaknesses is not enough. Explain the limits that remain, and how another round of fieldwork could test your conclusion.
- Conclusion
- Answer the question with evidence and exceptions.
- Evaluation
- Explain how each flaw affects the answer.
- Improvement
- A fix matched to the specific flaw.
Step by step
Answer and support
A pattern, numbers and an exception.
Weigh limitations
Which flaw matters most, and why?
Improve and qualify
Target the flaw and state the limits.
Worked example: A careful conclusion
"Among sampled users, shade was the most reported barrier. This supports adding shade on these routes. But the sample misses homebound residents and covers one morning. Include non-users and hotter times before deciding for the whole area."
Watch out for this
Mentioning limitations weakens the conclusion.
Relevant limits make the claim more defensible.
Check your understanding
Which statement best evaluates a fieldwork method?
- Sampling only park users misses non-users, so the results are biased.
- Surveys are biased, so no conclusion is possible from this one.
- The survey was good because we worked hard.
Show the answer
Sampling only park users misses non-users, so the results are biased.
Yes. It names the flaw and its effect.