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Conclusions and evaluating an investigation

Edexcel IAL Geography · WGE02 Geographical Investigations

The highest-mark question in Section B (12 marks) usually asks you to evaluate or assess part of your investigation. Evaluation means judging strengths and weaknesses and their effect on your conclusions.

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Key terms

Accuracy: how close measurements are to the true value (equipment, technique, operator error).
Reliability: whether the method would give the same results if repeated (consistent, standardised methods; repeat readings).
Validity: whether the data actually measure what you intended and allow the question to be answered (appropriate methods, representative sample, good coverage).
Bias: systematic distortion, for example opportunistic sampling, leading questions or one time of day.
Anomaly: a result that does not fit the overall pattern; explain it (passing lorry, trampled quadrat) rather than ignore it.

What to evaluate

The mark schemes credited, for evaluating data collection (June 2024, 12 marks):

Sampling: number and spacing of sites, sample sizes, sampling method, representativeness.
Methods and equipment: operator error, recording sheet success, suggested improvements.
Constraints: site access, time of day, season, weather, unexpected hazards.
Ethics and data quality: questionnaire appropriateness, ease of collation, anomalies affecting reliability and validity.

For 'how did collecting data at different sites or times improve reliability?' (June 2025): better spatial spread, comparison between sites, larger samples, natural systems varying in space and time, means and medians, changing flows of people at different times. For secondary data (June 2025, 12 marks): value at planning, as a baseline, in analysis, and limitations (undated maps, outdated or biased census).

Writing a strong evaluation

Identify a specific strength or weakness, explain its effect on the data and conclusions, and suggest an improvement.
Cover several stages of the enquiry (sampling, collection, presentation, analysis).
Weigh them: which mattered most? How far can your conclusion be trusted?
Link back to the research question.

The June 2024 examiners' report said the best answers judged which methods worked best and why, and linked back to the question; weaker answers drifted into secondary data or described rather than evaluated. Top band (9 to 12): a balanced evaluation of strengths and weaknesses across several stages.

A conclusion answers the question directly, refers to the evidence (figures, test results), accepts or rejects the hypothesis, and acknowledges limitations. Section C may ask why a conclusion drawn from one photo at one time is unreliable (June 2025).

Worked example

A student surveyed pedestrian flows at five sites, once each, between 2 pm and 3 pm on a rainy Tuesday. Evaluate one weakness and suggest an improvement.

Weakness: one visit at one time on one day, in rain.
Effect: flows vary by time and weather, so results may be unrepresentative and unreliable; comparisons may reflect timing, not real differences.
Improvement: repeat counts at several times (morning, lunchtime, evening) on different days, including a weekend, and average them.

Answer: A single time slot in bad weather limits reliability; repeat at varied times and average.

Key idea: Accuracy (close to true), reliability (repeatable), validity (measures what you intended). Evaluate sampling, methods, equipment, constraints, ethics and anomalies; explain effects, suggest improvements, weigh them and link to the question. Conclusions answer the question using evidence.

Check yourself

Which change most directly improves the reliability of fieldwork results?
- Changing the research question
- Using a different method at each site
- Ignoring anomalies
- Repeating measurements and using standardised methods
Show answer
Repeating measurements and using standardised methods. Repeatable, consistent methods improve reliability.
A questionnaire meant to find residents' views of a regeneration scheme was mostly answered by tourists. This mainly reduces the
- accuracy of the decibel meter
- validity of the results
- number of degrees of freedom
- range of the data
Show answer
validity of the results. The data do not measure what was intended.
What should you do with an anomalous result in your write-up?
- Delete it without comment
- Use it as the main conclusion
- Change it to fit the pattern
- Identify it and suggest a reason for it
Show answer
Identify it and suggest a reason for it. Explaining anomalies shows understanding.
In a 12-mark 'evaluate' question, which approach reaches the top band?
- A balanced evaluation of strengths and weaknesses across several stages, with a judgement linked to the question
- A detailed description of each method
- A list of equipment
- A discussion of secondary data only
Show answer
A balanced evaluation of strengths and weaknesses across several stages, with a judgement linked to the question. June 2024 mark scheme and examiners' report.
Why is a conclusion based on one photograph taken at one time likely to be unreliable?
- Photographs are always inaccurate
- Photos are secondary data
- It shows only one place at one moment, so it may not represent normal conditions
- It contains too much data
Show answer
It shows only one place at one moment, so it may not represent normal conditions. June 2025 mark scheme.
Explain how collecting data at different times of day improved the reliability of an urban transport investigation.
Show answer
Traffic and pedestrian flows change through the day, so sampling at several times, such as the morning peak, midday and evening, captured this variation and allowed averages to be calculated, making results more representative and repeatable.. Variation over time, then averaging or representativeness.

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Last updated 8 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.