Introduction to Decision Making in Geography

Decision making is an important skill for geographers. When planning to build a factory, many factors need to be considered. Today, we will look at Map C, which shows possible factory sites, and use a scoring system (B) to help us decide the best location.

Steps to Follow

  1. Group Work: Start in small groups. Look at Map C and the scoring system (B) together.
  2. Discuss and Rank: Talk about the factors in the scoring system and create a list ranking the most important ones.
  3. Explain Your Choices: Write down why you think these factors are important.
  4. Complete the Table: Draw a table with sites and scores for Labour, Raw Materials, Transport, Market, and Total.
  5. Assess Each Site: Discuss the pros and cons of each location and fill in your table.
  6. Score the Sites: Give scores based on the scoring system.
  7. Choose the Best Site: Agree on the best site for the factory and explain your choice.

Example Factors to Consider

  • Labour: The availability of workers.
  • Raw Materials: How easy it is to get the materials needed.
  • Transport: The quality of roads and distance to markets.
  • Market: The size of the local population and potential customers.

Questions for Understanding

Easy Level Questions

  1. What is the purpose of decision making in geography?
  2. How many years does Key Stage 3 cover?
  3. What age group is typically in Key Stage 3?
  4. What does Map C show?
  5. Why do industrialists need a scoring system?
  6. What is one factor you might consider when choosing a factory site?
  7. How many sites are being considered on the map?
  8. What is the importance of raw materials for a factory?
  9. Why is transport an important factor for a factory?
  10. What is the meaning of ‘market’ in this context?

Medium Level Questions

  1. How can a high population affect the decision to build a factory?
  2. Discuss why labour availability might be ranked high in importance.
  3. What could be an advantage of building near a motorway?
  4. Explain why factories need to consider transport routes.
  5. How can the scoring system help in making a decision?
  6. What might be a disadvantage of a site far from raw materials?
  7. Why is it important to discuss in a group before making a decision?
  8. If a site has low transport scores, how might that affect the factory?
  9. What factors might lower a site’s market score?
  10. How would you rate the importance of location in relation to competitors?

Hard Level Questions

  1. Discuss the potential impact of poor labour availability on factory operations.
  2. How does population size influence the market score for a factory site?
  3. Explain the relationship between transport and raw material costs.
  4. What trade-offs might industrialists face when choosing a factory site?
  5. How could environmental concerns affect the choice of a factory site?
  6. Why might a factory choose a site that is not the cheapest option?
  7. In your opinion, which factor is the most critical when deciding on a factory location? Why?
  8. How do you think local government policies might influence factory location decisions?
  9. What are the long-term implications of choosing a site with a low market score?
  10. How could technology change the factors that are important for factory locations in the future?

Conclusion

Remember, decision making in geography requires careful consideration of many factors. By discussing and ranking these factors, you can make informed choices about where to locate a factory. Use the table to organise your thoughts and provide clear reasoning for your decisions.

Answers to the Questions

Easy Level Answers

  1. The purpose of decision making in geography is to choose the best location for something, like a factory.
  2. Key Stage 3 covers three years.
  3. Students in Key Stage 3 are typically aged 11 to 14.
  4. Map C shows possible sites for a factory.
  5. Industrialists need a scoring system to help compare different locations based on important factors.
  6. One factor to consider is transport access.
  7. There are five sites being considered on the map.
  8. Raw materials are important because factories need these to make their products.
  9. Transport is important to ensure products can be delivered to customers efficiently.
  10. ‘Market’ refers to the potential customers in the area.

Medium Level Answers

  1. A high population can mean more potential customers for the factory’s products.
  2. Labour availability might be ranked high because a factory needs workers to operate.
  3. An advantage of building near a motorway is easier access for transporting goods.
  4. Factories need to consider transport routes to ensure quick delivery of materials and products.
  5. The scoring system helps by providing a clear way to compare different locations.
  6. A site far from raw materials might have higher costs to transport those materials to the factory.
  7. Discussing in a group allows for different ideas and perspectives, leading to a better decision.
  8. A low transport score might make it harder to deliver products on time, impacting business.
  9. Factors that might lower a site’s market score include a small population or low income levels.
  10. Location is important because it affects costs, accessibility, and market reach.

Hard Level Answers

  1. Poor labour availability can lead to difficulties in running the factory efficiently and meeting production goals.
  2. A larger population increases the potential customer base, positively affecting the market score.
  3. If transport costs are high, it can increase the overall cost of raw materials and products.
  4. Industrialists might have to choose between cost, location, and access to resources, which can be challenging.
  5. Environmental concerns might lead to restrictions on where factories can be built or how they operate.
  6. A factory might choose a more expensive site if it offers better access to customers or resources.
  7. The most critical factor could be labour availability because without workers, the factory cannot operate effectively.
  8. Local government policies can provide incentives or restrictions that impact factory location decisions.
  9. Choosing a site with a low market score might lead to less business and lower profits in the long run.
  10. Technology could change factors like transport efficiency, making some locations more viable than before.