Geography

1. What makes Geography distinct?

A Geography EE must:

• focus on a specific location or set of locations

• examine spatial patterns or processes

• use geographical concepts, for example sustainability, inequality, flows, risk or place

• apply models or frameworks where appropriate

• include evidence that is geographical in nature, for example maps, tables, graphs, datasets or field observations

• analyse interactions between physical and human factors

• evaluate the significance, scale or limitations of the findings

Your essay should feel geographic, not historical, scientific or political.

2. What counts as a suitable Geography topic?

A strong topic is:

• spatially explicit

• narrow enough for depth

• linked to a geographic process or pattern

• answerable using geographic concepts

• supported by accessible data

Examples of suitable topic types

• environmental change in a specific location

• urbanisation, gentrification or inequality in a defined area

• impacts of tourism or development on a community

• changes in microclimate or local environmental quality

• river, coastal or hazard related processes

• effects of land use change on ecosystems or people

Examples of unsuitable topic types

• topics without clear spatial focus

• essays that become history or politics essays

• personal travel reflections

• descriptive accounts of a place with no analysis

• topics requiring national scale data without narrowing

Geography requires depth, not a global overview.

3. Using evidence in Geography

Your essay must draw upon geographical evidence, such as:

• primary data collected ethically (field measurements, surveys, land use mapping)

• secondary datasets from reputable organisations

• maps, satellite images or GIS layers

• environmental quality surveys

• climate or hydrological data

• census or demographic statistics

• policy documents or planning reports

Avoid

• anecdotal accounts

• unsourced online maps

• unverified travel blogs

• personal opinions disguised as analysis

Evidence should be interpreted through geographic concepts, not simply presented.

4. Research methods appropriate for Geography

Your methods will depend on your topic and data. These may include:

• fieldwork and in situ measurements

• environmental quality surveys

• GIS mapping and spatial analysis

• statistical techniques (for example Spearman’s rank, Chi squared)

• analysis of secondary datasets

• mapping land use or zoning changes

• comparative case studies

• photographic and observational analysis

The method must be clearly linked to the research question.

5. Expectations for analysis

Geography analysis should:

• identify patterns, trends or anomalies

• compare locations or time periods where relevant

• connect physical and human processes

• explain causes, interactions and impacts

• show awareness of scale (local, regional, global)

• integrate maps, figures and diagrams purposefully

• remain focused on the geographic framing of the question

Analysis is not description. It interprets evidence in relation to concepts.

6. Evaluation in Geography

Evaluation in a Geography EE may include:

• limitations of data collection

• reliability of secondary sources

• accuracy of measurements

• applicability of models

• scale related considerations

• alternative explanations

• implications for policy or planning

A strong essay explains what the findings mean and why they matter.

7. Common pitfalls in Geography EEs

Avoid these issues, as they frequently lead to weak outcomes:

• topics without a defined location

• relying solely on Google Maps or simple online sources

• descriptive accounts with little analysis

• very broad questions that cannot be explored in depth

• methods not matched to the topic

• insufficient data, especially for fieldwork

• using too many variables without clear purpose

• essays that belong in another subject (especially ESS or Global Politics)

8. Model research questions

Here are high quality examples of Geography research questions:

1. How far has urban greening in Singapore reduced local heat island intensity in the Central Business District?

2. To what extent has coastal management altered rates of longshore drift at Hoi Mei Wan, Hong Kong?

3. How effective are traffic calming measures in reducing air pollution along Des Voeux Road Central?

4. How have patterns of land use change influenced flood risk in the Kam Tin Basin since 2005?

5. To what extent does access to public transport influence spatial inequality in Kowloon East?

Each question is specific, geographic and answerable using data.