Chong Boon Secondary School

Geographical Skills Package

Pure Geography

Chong Boon Secondary School

Geographical Skills Package 1

Elective Geography

Skills Covered

1.Scatter Graphs2.Line Graphs3.Distribution Maps4.Constructing Hypothesis

Scatter Graphs• Shows Correlation between two

sets of data.• Represented by points.• NO LINE joins the points.• Axes show the factors / data that

you are studying.

Types of Correlation• Positive Correlation – Values on the x-axis increase and the

corresponding value on the y-axis increase.• Negative Correlation– Values on the x-axis increase while the

corresponding values of the y-axis decreases.• No Correlation– Values on the x-axis does not have a regular

correlation with values of the y-axis.

Strength of Correlation

• Strong correlation – The plots closely follow the best-fit line.

• Weak correlation – The plots are further away from the best-fit line.

• Line of Best-fit– Solid straight line that intersects / is nearest most

of the points mapped.

Let’s look at these examples

Strong Positive

Correlation

ModeratePositive

Correlation

No Correlation

Moderate Negative

Correlation

Strong Negative

Correlation

Line Graphs

• Used to track variables over time.• Shows progress and growth.• Points that are joined by a straight line.

Comparative Line Graphs• Multiple graphs on the same axis• Shows relationship• Allows for comparision

Describing the graph• Look out for the angle of the slopes.• Look out for general trends.• Key term s–Gradual; Constant; Fluctuating;

Sudden; etc.• Is there any relationship between the

various lines?• Do the intersects mean anything?

Sample 1

Distribution Map

• Shows the spread of a feature over an area–Qualitative • Shows distribution of a product across an

area–Quantitative• Shows amount of production / sale / etc

across an area

Gorilla Distribution in Africa

Key Pointers• Skim the entire area, look for key

hotspots• Check the legend carefully–Colour / unit of measure

• Are there possible links to areas of similar intensity?

• Are there areas that are strange? –No data / missing data

Constructing Hypothesis

• An educated guess• A statement that the available

data can help you verify / test• NOT in the form of a QUESTION!

Key Points To Note

• Look carefully at the data that is given.• Your hypothesis must be able to be

tested by that data.• There must be an assumed

relationship between the two variables to be tested or proven.

What can you propose as hypothesis given the following data sets?

• PSLE score and O Level Score for a class.• Pocket $ left after recess and amount

of food consumed during recess.• Earnings at an ice-cream stall and the

amount of people who walk past it daily.