GEO

GRA
PHY
GRADE 12
RESEARCH
TASK
2018
kn
DBE 2 2018

EDUCATOR
GUIDELINES FOR
CONDUCTING
RESEARCH
THE HYPOTHESIS TESTING
APPROACH TO RESEARCH
TASKS IN GEOGRAPHY FET
1. The Requirements in the
Program of Assessment:
Research Activities
Steps
Marks
Length
Time Frame
Formulate the
hypothesis
1
10
Statement
Term 1
(1 to 3 days)
Mapping
2
10
A4 size or smaller
Background
information about
the study area
(Paragraph)
3
10
Paragraph of EIGHT lines
Data collection
4
10
75 to 100 words
(Photographs/Questionnaires)
Analysis and
synthesis
Representation of data
5
15
300 to 400 words
(Graphs/Tables)
Term 2
(1 to 3 days)
Recommendations and
possible solutions
6
10
Structured paragraph(s) of
approximately EIGHT lines
Conclusion –
ACCEPT/REJECT the
hypothesis
7
10
Paragraph of EIGHT lines
Term 3
(1 to 3 days)
Bibliography
8
10
Cover page
9
5
Presentation
10
10
Total
100

Submission
9
Due date
2. Choosing a topic for a
Geography Research Project
(Hypothesis testing):
Isolate topics to specific areas
in the Geography CAPS
content, for example:
Climate and Weather: (An
analysis of weather data over a
longer period)
Geomorphology: (A study of
processes and factors
influencing flow patterns in
local stream/rivers)
 Settlement Geography: (A
study of transport patterns in the
local community)
Economic Geography: (A
study of the local informal
sector and its impact on
employment)
DBE 3 2018
GUIDELINES FOR
CONDUCTING A
GEOGRAPHY RESEARCH
EDUCATOR’S GUIDE
Step 1: Formulating a
hypothesis or a geographical
statement
As Geographers we seek to
understand and explain the
interactions between humans,
and
between humans and the
environment in space and time.
This is achieved by asking
questions
or making informed
geographical decisions on
causes, effects and
solutions/recommendations
Development of Hypothesis
testing in the Geography FET:
 The learner has to choose a
specific area of study where a
geographical
statement can be made.
 During this stage a
geographical statement is made
to ask the following:
WHERE IS IT
WHAT IS IT
HOW OUGHT IT TO BE …
HUMAN IMPACTS …
…THE BIG IDEAS OF
CAPS (Empirical Analytical
Approach)
 The learner should then
follow the steps of research to
ensure that the
geographical statement is well
defined.
A possible hypothesis in
Settlement geography: Rural–
Urban Migration.
The community of Orange
farm (ZONE 14) is
negative/positive towards the
local
municipality due to the poor
service delivery in the provision
of water and electricity.

Where is the area of research i.e.

spatial location?
What is the geographical problem i.e. spatial
process?
How does the geographical problem impact
on spatial pattern?

DBE 4 2018
A possible hypothesis in
Geomorphology: Catchment
and river management.

The pollution on/in/along the

Vaal River is due to the increase
in contaminants created
by the Vaal Colliery in the
underground water.

Other possible hypothesis type

research:
 The E-Toll system will
impact negatively on the
economic position of people
using private transport in
Glenvista, south of
Johannesburg.
 The E-Toll system in the
area of the Gilloolys
interchange will impact
positively on motorists and
traffic flow.
NB: The HYPOTHESIS is a
GEOGRAPHICAL
STATEMENT
(GEOGRAPHICAL
 ENQUIRY)
Step 2: Mapping
 The learner must provide a
map of the area in question.
 During this stage the learner
has to create a buffer zone
around the area
where the geographical problem
exists.
 The map should have a clear
legend/key and must be drawn
to scale. The
scale must be indicated on the
map.
 If the map used covers a
wider area, buffer zones around
the area of study
should be created.
 The map used should be the
most recent map of the study
area.
Step 3: Background information
about an area of study.
 Learners need to explain
where in South Africa the study
area is located.
(This can be indicated on the
map)
 Description of the study area
in terms of its exact position
(degrees, minutes
and seconds).
 Provide relevant information
about the area, for example
population of the
area or climate of the area.
 Provide media
(newspaper/internet/magazine)
sources.
Where is the area of research i.e.
spatial location?
What is the geographical problem i.e. spatial
process?
How does the geographical problem impact
on spatial pattern?
DBE 5 2018

Step 4: Methods of data

collection
(a) PRIMARY DATA
SOURCES
 The use of questionnaires
 Interviews
 Observations
 Field trips
(b) SECONDARY DATA
SOURCES
 Newspaper articles
 Government department
statistics
 Books
 Internet
Step 5: Analysis and synthesis
of data (Data Representation)
 Collected data should now be
used to formulate a discussion
around the existing
geographical problem.
 At this stage learners should
represent some of the
information
graphically where necessary, for
example graphs, sketches etc.
 Graphic information must be
analysed during this stage.
Step 6: Recommendations and
possible solutions
 Learners should now make
recommendations to solve the
geographical problem in
question.
 Learners should be
encouraged to present their
original and
realistic opinions as far as they
possibly can.
Step 7: Conclusion – ACCEPT
OR REJECT the hypothesis.
 Learners should now make a
decision to either
 ACCEPT or REJECT the
hypothesis.
 Learner to provide reasons
for either ACCEPTING or
REJECTING the hypothesis.
Step 8: Bibliography
 A comprehensive
bibliography should be
included.
 List web sites in full.
 Annexures of questionnaires
and interviews conducted
should
be included.
Step 9: Submission
 Learners are encouraged to
include graphs, tables, diagrams
and pictures where necessary.
 On submission, ensure that a
suitable cover page is included.
DBE 6 2018
EXEMPLAR RESEARCH
TASK ONE - GRADE 12
CURRICULUM CONTENT:
Urban Decay
Inner city decay in Pretoria
central takes ugly turn

TSHWANE - The ongoing

decay regarding inner city in
Pretoria central, took another
turn, with
rental agencies placing the
blame at the door of the
property owners who contracted
them to
administer the properties, and
pocket the monthly rentals. The
agencies are accused by
tenants of prioritizing the
collection of rentals but turning
a blind eye to the derelict
structures
which many families call home
in the city centre. “We manage
property on behalf of owners,
who pay us a commission on
the rent received”. Huurkor
Agency has a maintenance
department which handles all
maintenance issues reported by
residents,”” However, there are
individuals [apartment owners]
who do not renovate their
property when faults are
brought
under their attention.
Source: ENCA
South African cities attract
thousands of new residents
every year in search of work
and a
better life. The housing
shortage, along with a shortage
of housing subsidies, means that
for
many South Africans there is
no alternative but to live in
informal housing and shack
settlements. The rapid increase
of informal settlements around
the cities in South Africa has
resulted in an increase in crime
rates in the inner city.
The inner city is a part of the
urban settlement that is found in
the commercial zone. Inner city
problems are a characteristic of
old, established cities. In the
case of South Africa, cities like
Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape
Town, Durban and Port
Elizabeth are good examples of
urban
settlements that experience
problems in the inner city.
Compile your research by
completing the following
activities outlined below:
Step 1: Formulate the
hypothesis
 Formulate your own
hypothesis based on a problem
you have identified, e.g. from a
newspaper
article/observation/discussion
etc.
The lack of INTERVENTION
by city authorities on Urban
Decay in the Pretoria
CBD has resulted in poor
service delivery within the inner
city.
DBE 7 2018
NB: Learners must formulate
their own hypothesis using the
above example.
Step 2: Mapping
 Provide a map showing the
position of the informal
settlement in
relation to the city that you have
identified for your research
task. (It
is easier to choose your local
area as an area of study.
 The map should clearly
indicate buffer zones where
informal
settlements are located.
 The map should include
areas of the city that are
regarded as
crime “hotspots”
 The map must have a clear
legend/ key.
 The scale should be indicated
on the map.
Step 3: Background information
about the study area
 Provide a brief introduction
and description (background
information) of the city (study
area) you have selected in terms
of:
 Historical background
 Population.
 Climate.
 Describe the location of
informal settlements in relation
to the inner
city.
 Other relevant statistical
information.
Step 4: Data collection
(a) Collect data using at least
THREE methods e.g.
 questionnaires
 interviews
 field trips
 photographs and maps
 Literature research
(newspapers, magazines, books
etc.)
 internet research
Step 5: Analysis and synthesis
of data
 Analyse the data that you
have collected, and formulate a
report on
 your findings. Support your
findings with graphs, photos,
etc.
 Briefly discuss how the
existence of informal
settlements
contributes to crime in the
inner city.
 Briefly discuss the
contribution of high
unemployment rate in the
informal settlements to crime
in the inner city.
DBE 8 2018
Step 6: Recommendations and
solutions
 Provide suitable
recommendations and solutions
to the problem
Step 7: Conclusion –
ACCEPT/REJECT the
hypothesis
 Based on your findings in
activity five you may either
ACCEPT or
REJECT the hypothesis.
Step 8: Bibliography
 Provide a bibliography for
your research. If you have
done any
internet research, you must
provide the website that you
have used
in full.
Step 9: Submission
 Collate all your information.
 Include a table of contents.
 Ensure that you include a
copy of the questionnaire
and/or
questions asked in your
interviews as annexures.
 Design a suitable cover sheet.
 Submit your research.
DBE 9 2018
EXEMPLAR RESEARCH
TASK 2 - GRADE 12
Curriculum content:
Catchment and River
Management

THE IMPACT
OF HUMAN
ACTIVITIES
ON
RIVERS
Rivers obtain their water
from surface run off and
ground water of their
drainage basin.
Activities that take place in the
drainage basin affect the quality
of water in the river.
Humans impact rivers in many
ways. The often flow of
harmful substances produced by
humans cause many kinds of
changes in rivers and aquatic
environment. Often human
actions
also change the river flow or the
shape of the river bed.
When human settle in the
river’s catchment area they
usually modify the land
surface and
even the river itself, these
modifications can impact on the
drainage basin in different
ways.
The amount of water reaching
the river may be considerably
reduced.
NB:
Choose the river/stream
closest to your school as an area
of study AND conduct your
 research by following the steps
outlined below:
Step 1: Formulate the
hypothesis:
Human activities impact
negatively on the quality of
water and the flow pattern in the
section of the Vaal River
passing the town of Parys.
Step 2: Mapping
 Provide a map showing the
river being studied and the
adjacent settlements.
 Create a clear buffer zone at
the part of the river that is being
studied.
 The map should have a clear
key/legend.
 The scale should be indicated
on the map.
Step 3: Background information
about the river under study
 Describe the provincial
location of the river.
 Climate – particularly the
amount of rainfall that is
received.
 Vegetation
 Relief and Topography
 Underlying rock structure
 Specify the river type:
(permanent, periodic, etc.)
 Describe the river stage
(youth, mature or old age) at
your study area.
DBE 10 2018
Step 4: Data collection
Collect data using at least
THREE methods e.g.
 questionnaires
 interviews
 field trips
 photographs and maps
 literature research
(newspapers, magazines, books
etc.)
 internet research
Step 5: Analysis and synthesis
of data
 Analyse the data that you
have collected, and formulate a
report on
your findings. Support your
findings with graphs, photos,
etc.
 Using the above sets of
data collected determine the
extent to
which the river is affected by
human activities.
 Explain in detail how the
identified human activities
impact on the
quality of water and the flow
pattern of the river.
Step 6: Recommendations and
solutions
 In your opinion as a
researcher what would be the
possible
solution(s) to the negative
impact caused by human
activities in the
river?
 Make the long term
recommendations to the
Government
department(s) leading to the
legislature that protects the
rivers.
Step 7: Conclusion –
ACCEPT/REJECT the
hypothesis
 Based on your findings in
activity five you may either
ACCEPT or
REJECT the hypothesis.
 Provide reasons for your
conclusion.
Step 8: Bibliography
 Provide a bibliography for
your research. If you have
done any
internet research, you must
provide the website that you
have used
in full.
Step 9: Submission
 Collate all your information.
 Include a table of contents.
 Ensure that you include a
copy of the questionnaire
and/or
questions asked in your
interviews as annexures.
 Design a suitable cover sheet.
 Submit your research.