Week 1: Introducing the Unit

Unit 4: Geographical Research

This unit is very different to the ones that you have done before. You will be responsible for your own research which will form the basis of the unit. This will help you develop some of the key skills you will need at university. 

The unit is worth 40% of your A2 grade and 20% of your total A-Level. 

The exam lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes

You will get one question on your selected topic. You will write a 70 mark report using research you have collected. This research will become more focused after the pre-release material. 

You will be marked on the following: - 

• Introduction and defining (10) 
• Research and methodology (15) 
• Analysis (20) 
• Conclusions and evaluation (15)
• Quality of written communication and sourcing (10)

What you need to do during this lesson?

1. Read through the unit 4 guidance in the text book. 
2. This week I would expect that you decided on a way to record your research this could be in a paper form in a well organised file, a selection of computer files, a blog, a presentation... it is up to you how you keep your research but you must make sure that it has a clear structure. You should start to create your files, blog tabs etc. I would suggest that you separate it into the 4 enquiry questions you should also have a glossary section and a bibliography (this should also review the source i.e. is there any bias).  Within each of these sections you will perform research under the sub headings for that enquiry question.
3.  In pairs perform research and create a presentation on the part of the global synoptic context - Places. You should: 
• Research the distribution of recent tectonic activity 
• Research the different types of plate boundaries and where they are located. 

It is important that you don't plagiarize your work! Make sure you:

• Put work into your own words and cite a reference
• Use quotations if copying word for word and cite a reference