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Quiz yourself on Fieldwork Presentation and Evaluation SkillsGet your flashcardsBuild my revision planTrack my progress🧠 The DECIDE Mnemonic — Choosing Your Presentation Technique
When you face an exam question asking you to choose or justify a presentation technique, run through DECIDE:
D — Data type
What kind of data do you have? Continuous (measured values on a scale), discrete (counted categories), ordinal (ranked), or locational (tied to specific places)?
What kind of data do you have? Continuous (measured values on a scale), discrete (counted categories), ordinal (ranked), or locational (tied to specific places)?
E — Examine the research question
What are you trying to show? A trend over time? A spatial distribution? A relationship between two variables? A comparison of categories? Different questions need different techniques.
What are you trying to show? A trend over time? A spatial distribution? A relationship between two variables? A comparison of categories? Different questions need different techniques.
C — Consider scale
How many data points do you have, and where were they collected? Twelve paired measurements suit a scatter graph. Data from a transect at 50 cm intervals suits a kite diagram. Data collected across administrative zones suits a choropleth.
How many data points do you have, and where were they collected? Twelve paired measurements suit a scatter graph. Data from a transect at 50 cm intervals suits a kite diagram. Data collected across administrative zones suits a choropleth.
I — Identify the relationship
What pattern are you trying to communicate? Correlation between two variables? Proportions of a total? Relative values across a map? The pattern you want to show determines the technique that will show it most clearly.
What pattern are you trying to communicate? Correlation between two variables? Proportions of a total? Relative values across a map? The pattern you want to show determines the technique that will show it most clearly.
D — Draw accurately
Whatever technique you choose, draw it correctly: labelled axes with units, consistent scale, title, legend where needed, north arrow and scale bar on maps. Technical accuracy earns marks even if the analysis is weak.
Whatever technique you choose, draw it correctly: labelled axes with units, consistent scale, title, legend where needed, north arrow and scale bar on maps. Technical accuracy earns marks even if the analysis is weak.
E — Explain your choice
This is the mark-earning step. State why your chosen technique suits your data type and research question. Mention at least one alternative technique and explain why it would be less appropriate. This is what separates Level 2 from Level 3 answers.
This is the mark-earning step. State why your chosen technique suits your data type and research question. Mention at least one alternative technique and explain why it would be less appropriate. This is what separates Level 2 from Level 3 answers.
DECIDE: Data type → Examine the question → Consider scale → Identify the relationship → Draw accurately → Explain your choice.
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