Suggest targeted improvements to a fieldwork enquiry

Question (9 marks): 'The conclusions of a fieldwork enquiry are only as strong as the methods used.' With reference to one fieldwork enquiry you have completed, suggest three improvements that would strengthen the reliability or validity of the data, justifying each.

Mark scheme (AO3/AO4 — 9 marks, levelled):

• Level 1 (1–3): generic improvements ('do more', 'use better equipment'), no justification.
• Level 2 (4–6): two/three improvements, each linked to a named limitation, partial justification.
• Level 3 (7–9): three specific, realistic improvements; each explicitly linked to either reliability OR validity; named technique (e.g. stratified sampling, calibration, triangulation, repeat readings); evaluative judgement on which improvement would most strengthen the conclusion.

Indicative content: (1) Increase river sites from 3 to 7 at equal 1.5 km intervals — improves spatial representativeness of Bradshaw's long-profile model (validity). (2) Take three repeat flowmeter readings per site and calculate the mean — reduces random instrument/human error (reliability). (3) Triangulate with Environment Agency gauging-station discharge data — independent secondary check on validity. Best answers rank the improvements by impact.