GI-M23/M24 2025L005N2EL

Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit

State Examinations Commission

Leaving Certificate Examination 2025

Geography

Geographical Investigation
Reporting Booklet

Higher and Ordinary Level

100 marks

Examination Number: [Enter your 6-digit examination number here]

Date of Birth: [Format DD/MM/YYYY]
Information for Candidates, Teachers and Schools

Completion of the report

· Your Geographical Investigation Report must be completed in this digital booklet, usng the prescibed
structure. This booklet has been supplied to you by the SEC in Microsoft Word (.docx)format.However,
when you are signing off and submitting your coursework booklet, it must be converted to PDF format
before being submitted through the Schools Portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that all electronic
material submitted is free from viruses etc.,so that the file can be opened for assessment.

You should carefully proof-read the copy that you have printed from the PDF file, so as to ensure that all of
your work is visible. Any work that is not visible on this printed copy will likewise not be visible to examiners
marking the work digitally and can therefore not gain any marks. Once this check on the quality of the PDF
format has been completed, you are required to print the final version of your PDF booklet as submitted.
This printed copy of the final version of the PDF booklet assubmitted and the digital version of the booklet
should be retained safely by the school authorities until the appeals process has been completed.

Examiners will only mark work that is submitted in accordance with the instructions in this booklet and
relevant circulars.

You must not change the structure or format of this booklet in any way and should adhere to the following
formatting guidelines:

o The text should be in Arial, font size 12, using single, 1.5, or double spacing.

o You may make use of text editing features such as italics, bullets, postscript, etc.

o Document margins have been set and should not be changed. The text margins for each A4
page are:

left margin 20 mm

right margin 20 mm
top margin 20 mm

bottom margin 30 mm

·You are not allowed to change these settings or otherwise circumvent these restrictions which are set to
faclitate online marking. You are also not allowed to attach or include links to any other material.

No part of te SEC text provided in this booklet should be modified by you.Your text should be confined only
to the areas in the booklet where you are prompted to enter text between square brackets e.g. [Enter your
text here].

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level
Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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Subject Specific Information
You must submit your completed Geographical Investigation Report to your teacher by the date specified
in the coursework brief.

The report-based on the selected investigation topic-must be completed in this Reporting Booklet, using
the prescribed structure.

The written element of your Report should not exceed a total length of 1000 words. You may in addition,
of course, also insert images of your hand-drawn graphs, sketches, maps or diagrams in the appropriate
spaces provided. This Reporting Booklet gives a maximum number of words for each stage of your report.
You should not include more than this. If you present material in excess of the required length you will lose
marks.

There are a number of pages throughout this Reporting Booklet that can be used to include images of
sketches, maps, diagrams, graphs, charts, tables etc. that you have drawn yourself.You are not allowed to
use any software to create these-they must be images of your own hand-drawn work.

For images relating to stages 1, 2 or 3, these must only be inserted on the pages that are titled Space for
sketches/maps/diagrams.There is one page for images for stages 1 and 2, and three pages for stage 3.

For graphs,tables, charts etc. used for Stage 5 Presentation of Results these may be spread across no
more than three pages in total. The first page to be used is titled Stage 5:Presentation of Results (page
1 of 3).

Images must be clear and sized appropriate to the level of detail required. You may not include any
videos or links.

Primary sources should make up at least 60% of the information gathered,while secondary sources may
provide the remainder. All secondary sources used (books, journals, web-sites,etc.) must be duly
acknowledged.

You must reference and acknowledge all research sources used such as: publications including
books,professional journals and government reports; online sources and other types of media;any material
generated using artificial intelligence (Al) software or applications; and material from specialist organisations
and relevant individuals. To include such material without properly referencing the source will be considered
plagiarism. In addition, the copying from, or reproduction of, material from such sources may also be
considered plagiarism.

The State Examinations Commission will provide further information in relation to the appropriate file
name to use and how to upload the digital coursework to the school portal in due course.

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level
Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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·Your Geographical Investigation Report must be backed up on a secure encrypted storage system until
the State Examinations Commission is satisfied that the projects have been received and are accessible.
This will require materiaI being retained until the examination process is complete, including until after
the appeal process is completed.

Bonus marks will not be awarded to any Geographical Investigation Report completed in Irish.Bonus marks
for answering through Irish will only apply to the final written examination.

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level

Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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Authentication

The project and report must be your own individual work-authenticated by yourself,your teacher and the
management authority of your school.Authentication is an important part of how we in the State Examinations
Commission ensure fairness to everybody in the assessment of coursework.

It is recognised that the field-based work in a geographical investigation may be undertaken in groups, such as
a class group. However, the report must in every case be the individual's own work.Direct copying of material
from secondary sources-other than essential references,e.g.definitions - is not permitted. Where there is
evidence of collaboration or copying in the reporting of any aspect of an investigation, the report presented
will be deemed invalid.

Your teacher must supervise your completion of both the investigation and the reporting booklet.If your
teacher cannot confirm that the Geographical Investigation Report is your own work, and that you carried out
the project and completed the report under his or her supervision, the State Examinations Commission will not
accept it for assessment. In that case, you will forfeit the marks for this component of the examination.
Teachers and the authorities of schools are familiar with the detailed requirements to ensure that coursework
is valid for examination purposes.You should comply fully with all requests that are made by the teacher and
the school in order to enable authentication of your work.

Any case of suspected copying, plagiarism (which includes the use of Al software), improper assistance, or
procurement of work prepared by another party will be thoroughly investigated.These actions are breaches
of examination rules and attract the penalties described in the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools.
The penalties include: loss of the marks for the coursework, loss of the subject, loss of the entire examination
in all subjects, or being debarred from the Certificate Examinations in subsequent years. There may be serious
consequences for any persons who provides you with inappropriate assistance, as this is an offence under
the Education Act 1998.

Note: Responsibility for complying with examination requirements rests with you, the candidate.If the
requirements are not followed, your teacher and school will have no choice but to bring this to the attention
of the State Examinations Commission.

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level
Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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Report Structure and Mark Allocations

Stage 1. Introduction (5 marks)

Maximum of 50 words
Aims or Hypotheses

Stage 2. Planning (5 marks)

Maximum of 100 words
Identifying:
Information required
Method/Tasks of gathering information

Stage 3. Gathering of Information (40 marks)

Maximum of 450 words
Description of the gathering process. Description of for example:
Tasks/Methods
Use of equipment
Recording of information

Stage 4. Results, Conclusions, Evaluation (30 marks)

Maximum of 400 words
Analysing information to:
Establish results
Draw conclusions
Evaluate the process and outcomes in the context of aims or hypotheses

Stage 5. Presentation of Results (20 marks)

Examiners will expect you to present your results in graphic form and to discuss them in Stage 4.There must
be at least two different types of presentation.

Leaving Certificate Examination, 2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level
Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet
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Prescribed Investigation Topic:
[Enter your prescribed investigation topic here]

Title of Investigation:
[Enter the title of your investigation here]

Date of Completion:
[Enter your date of completion here]

Length of Report (Word Count):

[Enter the total number of words in your final report here]

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Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level

Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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Stage 1: Introduction (5 marks)
Maximum 50 words

Important: The text should be in Arial, font size 12pt, 1.5 line spacing and should not exceed 50 words. Please ensure that the
above heading remains at the top of the page.

My objectives were:

1.To examine the influence of atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and wind direction.
2.To undertake a wave survey establishing wave type, constructive or destructive.
3.To examine the relationship between wave type and the process of deposition.
4. To identify and measure the presence or rate of longshore drift as a key process of transportation.
5. To create a beach profile and examine textbook theories on beach zone formation processes.

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level
Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet
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Stage 1: Space for sketches/maps/diagrams
You must use this space to insert images of any sketches, maps or diagrams you wish to include relating to Stage 1 Introduction.
You are not allowed to use software to create these-they must be images of your own hand-drawn work.

Note: If you copy and paste images some parts may not be visible. You must ensure that images are sized and positioned so that
they are clearly visible on each page. Any work that is not visible will not be seen by an examiner and will not be awarded any
marks.
Please ensure that the above heading remains at the top of the page.

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level

Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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Stage 2: Planning (5 marks)
Maximum 100 words
Important: The text should be in Arial, font size 12pt, 1.5 line spacing and should not exceed 100 words. Please ensure that the
above heading remains at the top of the page.

To prepare, I revised coastal landforms using class notes and studied Today ’ s World by Liam Ashe and
Kieran McCarthy (Chapter 12, pages 143-169) and Lanscapes by Declan Fitzgerald and PJ White (Chapter 9,
pages 125-137). I used Ordnance Survey maps to locate Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, observing
active coastlines with deposition and transportation. I watched a YouTube video on acid handling and read
Chemistry Live to learn HCl safety. I practiced measuring rocks with a caliper and learned about the Power
Roundness Index. I prepared with a digital anemometer from To prepare, I revised coastal landforms using
class notes and studied Today’s World by Liam Ashe and Kieran McCarthy (Chapter 12, pages 143-169) and
Lanscapes by Declan Fitzgerald and PJ White (Chapter 9, pages 125-137). I used Ordnance Survey maps to
locate Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, observing active coastlines with deposition and
transportation. I watched a YouTube video on acid handling and read Chemistry Live to learn HCl safety. I
practiced measuring rocks with a caliper and learned about the Power Roundness Index. I prepared with a
digital anemometer from CEF.co.uk for better accuracy

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level
Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet
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Stage 2: Space for sketches/maps/diagrams
You must use this space to insert images of any sketches, maps or diagrams you wish to include relating to Stage 2 Planning.
You are not allowed to use software to create these-they must be images of your own hand-drawn work.

Note:If you copy and paste images some parts may not be visible. You must ensure that images are sized and positioned so that
they are clearly visible on each page. Any work that is not visible will not be seen by an examiner and will not be awarded any
marks.
Please ensure that the above heading remains at the top of the page.

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level

Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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Stage 3: Gathering of Information (40 marks)
Maximum 450 words

Important: The text should be in Arial, font size 12pt, 1.5 line spacing and should not exceed 450 words. Please ensure thatthe
above heading remains at the top of the page.

Wind Speed and Direction

To measure wind speed, I used a digital anemometer at an open beach area. I turned it on, held it above my
head, and recorded the speed in meters per second, converting it to miles per hour. To find wind direction,
I used a compass to identify north, drew directions in the sand, anchored a ranging pole, and observed the
flags direction.

Wave Frequency
To measure wave frequency, I placed a ranging pole at the breaker zone and ensured it was anchored. Using
a tally counter and stopwatch, I counted waves passing the pole within a minute. I repeated the process
multiple times, recorded the results, and calculated the average wave frequency.

Longshore Drift
To measure longshore drift, a pole (A) was anchored in the water. A floating mandarin was released, and
its drift was timed over 10 minutes. Afterward, I measured the distance between pole A and where the
mandarin stopped, recorded the distance, and used a compass to determine the drift direction.

Beach Transect and Slope

I identified changes in slope along the beach and placed poles (A-D) from low tide to high tide. I measured
distances between poles with a tape measure. To calculate slope, I used a clinometer to measure angles
between poles, recording the results for each segment.

To analyze the sediments and materials on the beach, I used random sampling techniques by throwing a pen
to determine the placement of a 9-grid quadrant along poles A, B, and C. Within the quadrant, I recorded
the percentages of vegetation, sand, pebbles, and rocks. I then randomly selected pebbles, measured their
maximum dimensions using calipers, and recorded the length and breadth in centimeters. By comparing the
pebbles with a roundness chart, I categorized their shapes. This procedure was repeated multiple times for
both the backshore and storm beach to ensure accurate data collection.

To determine the rock types, I collected samples from both the backshore and storm beach. I examined their
colors when wet and used a hammer to chip the rocks for testing. Each sample was placed in a beaker, where
hydrochloric acid was applied using a dropper to observe any reactions. I listened for fizzing sounds,
indicating the presence of carbonate minerals. This process was repeated for multiple samples, and findings
were recorded systematically.To analyze the sediments and materials on the beach, I used random sampling
techniques by throwing a pen to determine the placement of a 9-grid quadrant along poles A, B, and C.
Within the quadrant, I recorded the percentages of vegetation, sand, pebbles, and rocks. I then randomly
selected pebbles, measured their maximum dimensions using calipers, and recorded the length and breadth in
centimeters. By comparing the pebbles with a roundness chart, I categorized their shapes. This procedure
was repeated multiple times for both the backshore and storm beach to ensure accurate data collection.

To determine the rock types, I collected samples from both the backshore and storm beach. I examined their
Leaving Certificate Examination, 2025
colors when wet and used a hammer to chip the rocks for testing. Each sample was placed in a beaker, where
Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level
hydrochloric acid was applied using
Geographical Investigation-Reporting Bookleta dropper to observe any reactions. I listened for fizzing sounds,
indicating the presence of carbonate minerals. This process was repeated for multiple samples, and findings
were recorded systematically.
Stage 3: Space for sketches/maps/diagrams (page 1 of 3)
You must use this space to insert images of any sketches, maps or diagrams you wish to include relating to Stage 3 Gathering of
Information. You are not allowed to use software to create these - they must be images of your own hand-drawn work.

Note: If you copy and paste images some parts may not be visible. You must ensure that images are sized and positioned so that
they are clearly visible on each page. Any work that is not visible will not be seen by an examiner and will not be awarded any
marks.
Please ensure that the above heading remains at the top of the page.

Leaving Certificate Examination, 2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level

Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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Stage 3: Space for sketches/maps/diagrams (page 2 of 3)
You must use this space to insert images of any sketches, maps or diagrams you wish to include relating to Stage 3 Gathering of
Information. You are not allowed to use software to create these - they must be images of your own hand-drawn work.

Note: If you copy and paste images some parts may not be visible. You must ensure that images are sized and positioned so that
they are clearly visible on each page. Any work that is not visible will not be seen by an examiner and will not be awarded any
marks.
Please ensure that the above heading remains at the top of the page.

Leaving Certificate Examination, 2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level

Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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Stage 3: Space for sketches/maps/diagrams (page 3 of 3)
You must use this space to insert images of any sketches, maps or diagrams you wish to include relating to Stage 3 Gathering of
Information. You are not allowed to use software to create these - they must be images of your own hand-drawn work.

Note: If you copy and paste images some parts may not be visible. You must ensure that images are sized and positioned so that
they are clearly visible on each page. Any work that is not visible will not be seen by an examiner and will not be awarded any
marks.
Please ensure that the above heading remains at the top of the page.

Leaving Certificate Examination, 2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level

Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

15
Stage 4: Results, Conclusions, Evaluation (30 marks)
Maximum 400 words

Important: The text should be in Arial, font size 12pt, 1.5 line spacing and should not exceed 400 words. Please ensure that the
above heading remains at the top of the page.

Results
From the analysis of sediment and materials on the beach, the storm beach contained 65% pebbles, 20% sand,
10% vegetation, and 5% rocks, while the backshore had 45% sand, 30% vegetation, 15% pebbles, and 10% rocks.
Pebble measurements on the storm beach revealed an average length of 6.5 cm and a breadth of 4.2 cm, with
most pebbles being sub-angular or sub-rounded based on the roundness chart. Conversely, pebbles on the
backshore were smaller, averaging 4.8 cm in length and 3.1 cm in breadth, and were predominantly angular.

Rock tests showed varied compositions. On the storm beach, 70% of the samples fizzed when hydrochloric
acid was applied, indicating the presence of carbonate rocks such as limestone. The remaining 30% showed
no reaction, suggesting they were likely quartz or sandstone. On the backshore, 50% of the rocks fizzed,
while 50% did not, reflecting a mix of carbonate and non-carbonate materials.

Conclusions
The results indicate clear differences between the storm beach and backshore in terms of sediment
distribution, pebble size, and rock composition. The storm beach ’ s dominance of pebbles and larger,
smoother stones suggests it experiences more powerful wave energy, leading to higher levels of erosion and
abrasion. The presence of carbonate rocks on the storm beach further supports this, as their chemical
composition makes them more susceptible to weathering in high-energy environments. The backshore, with its
greater vegetation cover and finer, angular pebbles, highlights a more stable and less energetic environment
where deposition processes dominate.

Evaluation
Overall, the methods used to gather data were effective in providing insight into the sediment distribution
and rock composition of the two areas. Random sampling ensured unbiased data collection, and the use of
calipers and roundness charts provided accurate measurements of pebble characteristics. However, some
limitations were present. The random sampling technique may have resulted in uneven coverage of the study
area, potentially skewing the data. Additionally, visual comparison of the pebbles using the roundness
chart could have introduced subjective errors. To improve reliability, more quadrants could be analyzed,
and digital imaging techniques could be used for pebble shape classification. Despite these limitations,
the findings align with expectations for sedimentary processes on a beach, making the conclusions robust.

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level
Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet
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Stage 5: Presentation of Results (page 1 of 3)
You must use this space to insert images of any graphs or diagrams to illustrate your RESULTS.You are not allowed to use
software to create these-they must be images of your own hand-drawn work. All graphs etc. need to be completed on 2mm
graph paper. Digitally created graphs will not be awarded marks.

Note: If you copy and paste images some parts may not be visible. You must ensure that images are sized and positioned so that
they are clearly visible on each page. Any work that is not visible will not be seen by an examiner and will not be awarded any
marks.
Please ensure that the above heading remains at the top of the page.

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level

Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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Stage 5: Presentation of Results (page 2 of 3)
You must use this space to insert images of any graphs or diagrams to illustrate your RESULTS.You are not allowed to use
software to create these-they must be images of your own hand-drawn work. All graphs etc. need to be completed on 2mm
graph paper. Digitally created graphs will not be awarded marks.

Note: If you copy and paste images some parts may not be visible. You must ensure that images are sized and positioned so that
they are clearly visible on each page. Any work that is not visible will not be seen by an examiner and will not be awarded any
marks.
Please ensure that the above heading remains at the top of the page.

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level

Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

18
Stage 5: Presentation of Results (page 3 of 3)
You must use this space to insert images of any graphs or diagrams to illustrate your RESULTS.You are not allowed to use
software to create these-they must be images of your own hand-drawn work. All graphs etc. need to be completed on 2mm
graph paper. Digitally created graphs will not be awarded marks.

Note: If you copy and paste images some parts may not be visible. You must ensure that images are sized and positioned so that
they are clearly visible on each page. Any work that is not visible will not be seen by an examiner and will not be awarded any
marks.
Please ensure that the above heading remains at the top of the page.

Leaving Certificate Examination,2025

Geography-Higher and Ordinary Level

Geographical Investigation-Reporting Booklet

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