| Item | What complete looks like |
|---|---|
| Title page | Shows the title, research question, subject and word count, with no student or school name |
| Contents page | Lists every section with page numbers, and every page is numbered |
| Introduction | States the focus, locates the study area on an annotated map and outlines the method |
| Research question | Focused and spatial, naming a place, a scale and a variable |
| Methods | Explains site selection, sampling rule and sample size so the study can be repeated |
| Ethics and safety | Shows how consent, permission and safe fieldwork were handled |
| Figures | Every figure is numbered, titled and sourced |
| Maps | Every map has a scale, north arrow and legend |
| Word count | The essay is within 4,000 words |
| Appendices | Contain only raw data or blank questionnaires, nothing central to the argument |
| Item | What complete looks like |
|---|---|
| Geographic context | Key facts about the study area that the analysis uses later |
| Theory and models | Relevant models described accurately and tested against the place |
| Terminology | Geographic terms defined once and used consistently |
| Sources | A mix of academic, official and local sources, not only general websites |
| Citations | Every source cited, including base maps, satellite images and photographs |
| Item | What complete looks like |
|---|---|
| Analysis of figures | Each graph and map is analysed where it appears in the text |
| Structure | The body is organised by theme, sub-question or zone |
| Mini-conclusions | Each section ends by linking back to the research question |
| Statistics | Tests are justified, and results and significance are explained |
| Causation | Correlations are not presented as proof of cause |
| Line of argument | Every section builds towards the answer |
| Item | What complete looks like |
|---|---|
| Answer to the question | The conclusion answers the research question directly |
| Findings and theory | Findings are compared with the model, and differences are explained |
| Limitations | Specific limitations are named, with their effect on the results |
| Sources and models | The reliability of sources and the fit of models are evaluated |
| Qualified conclusion | The conclusion matches the scale of the evidence |
| Further research | Realistic improvements and next steps are suggested |
| Item | What complete looks like |
|---|---|
| Reflection sessions | All three sessions are recorded on the RPF |
| Reflective statement | Up to 500 words, written after the viva voce |
| Evaluation | Evaluates decisions and learning rather than listing tasks |
| Evidence of growth | Specific moments from the research show how you developed |