Geography - Introduction to my Independent Investigation NOTES
Aims, Questions and Hypothesis
The purpose of my independent investigation is to look at the human impacts of the coastal defences at Herne Bay. This includes looking at accessibility to the beach for buggies or wheelchair users, how local businesses are affected, quality of life, health and safety, the perceptions of people in regard to the defences and impacts on the quality of life and general look of the location.
I have decided to assess the human impacts of sea defences in Herne Bay specifically as it's an easily accessible area for me, and due to the location's range of defences - which include a sea wall, groynes and rock armour. It's also practical as this investigation requires minimal equipment, which would otherwise be difficult for me to transport to the coast. My investigation will, in subsequence, be achievable and other people will be able to replicate my method for future research. During 2013, work was carried out in Herne Bay to ensure that the defences met modern and future needs. This included raising the sea wall to accommodate for the proposed sea level change, and filling in any gaps that caused areas of vulnerability [1].
Methodologies and Secondary Data
To carry out my investigation, I will be using a closed questionnaire. From personal experience, I find that closed questions are easier for gathering quantitive, easily presentable information as oppose to open questions - which allow for elaboration, thus being harder to present in a chart. I will, however, include an open question at the end of my questionnaire as they encourage discussion and so more qualitative information can be gathered this way - especially for a hypothesis based on personal opinions. I will also walk along the coast and take note of what the land is used for in proximity to different defences - for example, if rock armour is used to increase protection near areas that are of social, economic or environmental value. To gather evidence of my findings, I will use annotated photos. From an ethical viewpoint, people may not want to have involuntary photographs of themselves published if they happen to walk through my pictures, so for their privacy and anonymity I will blur out the faces of any people who happen to be in any photos that I take. I will complete an environmental quality survey at various places along the coast, starting by the town centre and then travelling away from the most valuable land to see how it's upkeep changes. This will allow an insight into the quality of life of the people living in these places. I believe that the further away from the town centre I travel, the less protected the land will be. This may negatively affect people as, depending on their proximity to the coast, they could find that their properties are at risk from flooding and erosion. I will use annotated photos to look at health and safety risks - such as groynes, which usually feature signs advising the public against climbing on them - and accessibility for the disabled and buggy users. If there are only steps onto the beach then the tourism industry would be affected as young families wouldn't come to enjoy the seaside with their small children. However, ramps or gentle slopes allow for wheelchair and pushchair access, meaning that the location would be more tourism-friendly.
As well as gathering primary data, I will extend my research to the popular social media site "Instagram" in order to gather secondary evidence to add to my conclusion. I will use this social media platform and search for the Herne Bay hashtag, and then see how many of the top one hundred pictures features coastal defences. If they weren't aesthetically pleasing, or evoked negative opinions, then they wouldn't be posted online for the rest of the world to see. People use sites such as Instagram to promote locations as well as share their nice holiday pictures, and as it's such a well-known platform there will be plenty of relevant posts on there. If the majority of the pictures I view feature coastal defences then I will accept my hypothesis - especially if my primary research backs this up.
Bibliography:
[1] Canterbury City Council. (2012/2013). HERNE BAY SEA DEFENCE IMPROVEMENTS. Available: https://www2.canterbury.gov.uk/media/132036/hernebay_newletters.pdf. Last accessed 20th May 2019.
The purpose of my independent investigation is to look at the human impacts of the coastal defences at Herne Bay. This includes looking at accessibility to the beach for buggies or wheelchair users, how local businesses are affected, quality of life, health and safety, the perceptions of people in regard to the defences and impacts on the quality of life and general look of the location.
I have decided to assess the human impacts of sea defences in Herne Bay specifically as it's an easily accessible area for me, and due to the location's range of defences - which include a sea wall, groynes and rock armour. It's also practical as this investigation requires minimal equipment, which would otherwise be difficult for me to transport to the coast. My investigation will, in subsequence, be achievable and other people will be able to replicate my method for future research. During 2013, work was carried out in Herne Bay to ensure that the defences met modern and future needs. This included raising the sea wall to accommodate for the proposed sea level change, and filling in any gaps that caused areas of vulnerability [1].
Methodologies and Secondary Data
To carry out my investigation, I will be using a closed questionnaire. From personal experience, I find that closed questions are easier for gathering quantitive, easily presentable information as oppose to open questions - which allow for elaboration, thus being harder to present in a chart. I will, however, include an open question at the end of my questionnaire as they encourage discussion and so more qualitative information can be gathered this way - especially for a hypothesis based on personal opinions. I will also walk along the coast and take note of what the land is used for in proximity to different defences - for example, if rock armour is used to increase protection near areas that are of social, economic or environmental value. To gather evidence of my findings, I will use annotated photos. From an ethical viewpoint, people may not want to have involuntary photographs of themselves published if they happen to walk through my pictures, so for their privacy and anonymity I will blur out the faces of any people who happen to be in any photos that I take. I will complete an environmental quality survey at various places along the coast, starting by the town centre and then travelling away from the most valuable land to see how it's upkeep changes. This will allow an insight into the quality of life of the people living in these places. I believe that the further away from the town centre I travel, the less protected the land will be. This may negatively affect people as, depending on their proximity to the coast, they could find that their properties are at risk from flooding and erosion. I will use annotated photos to look at health and safety risks - such as groynes, which usually feature signs advising the public against climbing on them - and accessibility for the disabled and buggy users. If there are only steps onto the beach then the tourism industry would be affected as young families wouldn't come to enjoy the seaside with their small children. However, ramps or gentle slopes allow for wheelchair and pushchair access, meaning that the location would be more tourism-friendly.
As well as gathering primary data, I will extend my research to the popular social media site "Instagram" in order to gather secondary evidence to add to my conclusion. I will use this social media platform and search for the Herne Bay hashtag, and then see how many of the top one hundred pictures features coastal defences. If they weren't aesthetically pleasing, or evoked negative opinions, then they wouldn't be posted online for the rest of the world to see. People use sites such as Instagram to promote locations as well as share their nice holiday pictures, and as it's such a well-known platform there will be plenty of relevant posts on there. If the majority of the pictures I view feature coastal defences then I will accept my hypothesis - especially if my primary research backs this up.
Bibliography:
[1] Canterbury City Council. (2012/2013). HERNE BAY SEA DEFENCE IMPROVEMENTS. Available: https://www2.canterbury.gov.uk/media/132036/hernebay_newletters.pdf. Last accessed 20th May 2019.
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