New
New
Year 9

Fieldwork: Analysing, concluding and evaluating air pollution data

I can analyse and reflect on my air pollution data to create meaningful conclusions and an evaluation.

New
New
Year 9

Fieldwork: Analysing, concluding and evaluating air pollution data

I can analyse and reflect on my air pollution data to create meaningful conclusions and an evaluation.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Statistical tests are used by geographers to find patterns in data sets that are not obvious in their raw form.
  2. Conclusions can be strengthened by combining the results of different data sets together.
  3. The scale at which geographers collect data can have a significant influence over the type of conclusions they make.

Keywords

  • Spearman's rank - a statistical test that shows the strength of any correlation between two variables

  • Micro-scale enquiries - enquiries that focus on a small area such as a street or a park

  • Macro-scale enquiries - enquiries that focus on a large area such as a city or a whole country

Common misconception

You have to be good at maths to be able to use statistical tests in geographical enquiries.

You have to know how to interpret the results of statistical tests to use them in geographical enquiries.


To help you plan your year 9 geography lesson on: Fieldwork: Analysing, concluding and evaluating air pollution data, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Model the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient calculations in real time with students so you can ensure that no student gets lost in the process.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:Anthropocene,Current time when humans are the main force shaping Earth

Current time when humans are the main force shaping Earth

Correct Answer:Biodiversity,The variety of life in an area

The variety of life in an area

Correct Answer:Climate change,Long-term change in global or regional weather patterns

Long-term change in global or regional weather patterns

Correct Answer:Carbon footprint,The total greenhouse gases caused by a person or group

The total greenhouse gases caused by a person or group

Q2.
Which of the following is an example of a human impact on biodiversity?

Correct answer: Cutting down rainforests
A volcanic eruption
A change in Earth's orbit
Ocean tides

Q3.
Why is the term Anthropocene controversial to some scientists?

It refers to ancient fossils
It denies climate change
It’s only used in astronomy
Correct answer: Some argue we’re still in the Holocene epoch

Q4.
Which of these actions would reduce someone’s carbon footprint?

Flying weekly for work
Using more plastic packaging
Heating a house with coal
Correct answer: Cycling instead of driving

Q5.
Which human activity contributes most to climate change?

Correct answer: Burning fossil fuels
Drinking bottled water
Watching TV
Using pencils

Q6.
Which of the following shows a misunderstanding of human impact on the planet?

Correct answer: Human activity cannot change Earth’s systems
Humans have cleared land for cities
Humans contribute to air pollution
Humans extract resources

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:Spearman's rank,A test showing the strength of correlation between two variables

A test showing the strength of correlation between two variables

Correct Answer:Micro-scale enquiries,Enquiries focused on a small area like a street

Enquiries focused on a small area like a street

Correct Answer:Macro-scale enquiries,Enquiries focused on a large area like a city or country

Enquiries focused on a large area like a city or country

Q2.
Why might geographers use statistical tests like Spearman’s rank?

To build a model of the future
Correct answer: To check patterns in their data
To draw the neatest graphs
To take photographs

Q3.
Which of the following best describes micro-scale enquiry data?

It compares whole countries
It only uses government data
Correct answer: It focuses on a small location
It uses satellite images only

Q4.
Which of these would best describe a misunderstanding about statistical tests?

They help geographers see links in data
They are useful in enquiries
Correct answer: Only people who are good at maths can use them
They can support conclusions