← Geography syllabus

SingaporeGeography

Geographical Investigation and Skills

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you test whether an observed pattern of frequencies differs from what you would expect by chance?

Apply the chi-square test to compare observed and expected frequencies, use degrees of freedom and critical values, and interpret statistical significance
A focused answer to the H2 Geography skill of significance testing with chi-square. Observed versus expected frequencies, the chi-square formula, degrees of freedom, comparing the statistic with critical values, the role of the significance level, and the test's conditions and limits.
11 min answer →

How do you summarise a set of field measurements, and how do you describe how spread out they are?

Calculate and interpret measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and dispersion (range, interquartile range, standard deviation) for geographical data
A focused answer to the H2 Geography skill of summarising data. The mean, median and mode and when each is appropriate, the range, interquartile range and standard deviation as measures of spread, the effect of anomalies and skew, and how to interpret dispersion geographically.
10 min answer →

How do you choose the graph, map or diagram that makes a geographical pattern clear at a glance?

Select and justify appropriate techniques for presenting geographical data, including graphs, located proportional symbols, choropleth maps and specialised diagrams
A focused answer to the H2 Geography skill of data presentation. Matching the technique to the data type, line and bar graphs, scatter graphs, choropleth and isoline maps, located proportional symbols, kite and triangular graphs, and how to describe a presented pattern in a data-response answer.
10 min answer →

How do you choose what to sample and how to collect it, so the data is representative and the conclusions are sound?

Explain random, systematic and stratified sampling and how to select appropriate primary and secondary data-collection methods
A focused answer to the H2 Geography skill of sampling and data collection. Why we sample, random, systematic and stratified strategies (point, line and area), sample size and bias, and choosing primary versus secondary and quantitative versus qualitative methods.
10 min answer →

How do you test, objectively, whether two geographical variables are related, and how strongly?

Calculate and interpret Spearman's rank correlation coefficient to test for a relationship between two variables, and assess its statistical significance
A focused answer to the H2 Geography skill of correlation testing. Ranking paired data, calculating Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, interpreting its sign and strength, testing significance against critical values, and avoiding the correlation-causation trap.
11 min answer →

How do you turn a geographical curiosity into a focused, answerable investigation with a testable hypothesis?

Explain the stages of a geographical investigation and how to formulate a focused geographical question, aim and testable hypothesis
A focused answer to the H2 Geography skill of designing an investigation. The route to enquiry, framing a sharp geographical question and aim, writing a testable hypothesis and null hypothesis, choosing variables, and the importance of location, scale and feasibility.
9 min answer →