Mark scheme - Population change

(a)        Use Figure 3 to describe the pattern of migration in the UK between 1997 and 2006.          [7]

• Immigration exceeds emigration throughout the period 1997-2006.

• Both immigration and emigration fluctuate during the period, but overall there is an increase in both.

• Both immigration and emigration peaked in 2006 (quantify), with some evidence of immigration levelling off, whilst emigration continues to increase.

• Net migration shows significant, but fluctuating, increases between 1997 and 2004, peaking in 2004 at 250 million (5 x 1997 figure). Since 2004 the net migration figure has fallen, but still remains well above the 1997 level.

(b)       Suggest an hypothesis associated with attitudes to migration and explain why it is useful to set up an hypothesis.                                                                                                            [8]

Hypothesis – “Negative attitudes of the host population to migrants outweigh positive ones”

Reasons for setting up the hypothesis – it gives a focus for the enquiry and directs the course of the investigation as the hypothesis can be either accepted or rejected in the conclusion.

(c)        With reference to an investigation you have carried out into a changing human environment, discuss the importance of obtaining accurate and reliable data.

                                                                                                                                                [10]

The answers to this question are likely to vary greatly, from those that simply state the clearly obvious statement that the better the data, the better the investigation to those that develop a sophisticated answer that shows excellent understanding of the need for accurate/reliable data at all stages of an investigation, who demonstrate why this is the case, and make full, appropriate reference to their own human fieldwork/research study.

            The following is a list and acts as a guide to the main points that are likely to be raised by candidates:

·         Investigations are likely to start with a question/hypothesis and therefore there is a clear need to have the most reliable data/information in order to answer the question/test the hypothesis.

·         Accurate and reliable data/information will enable correct representation to be made, using a variety of appropriate techniques.

·         Such data/information means that any statistical analysis, where appropriate, can be carried out and the results can be relied upon so that any analysis/conclusions can be relied upon.

·         Candidates should develop these arguments with specific reference to their own investigation, using appropriate data/information as examples to reinforce the above points.