Comments and feedback on both ideas

Comments on 1st idea:

- probably the best option out of the two
- I am able to evaluate the costs and benefits about recreational diving
- no longer a problem about linking this to geography as I will be writing about human impacts on ecosystems, and if I look into the tourist industry then it will be closely related to human geography
- the subject is quite broad on its own, so I would need to narrow it down - possibly one or two organisations and analyse the effect of diving on their research and encouraging tourists (advantages of tourists - photography and monitoring marine life etc.)
- possibility of conducting a couple of interviews for opposite opinions on the subject - take advantage of contacts with BSAC and CCC


Comments on 2nd idea:

- way too broad an idea - I would need to narrow this down to a specific area or species
- need to take into account the conditions that would affect the distribution (e.g. climate change, which is already a large topic on its own)

Idea 2

- studying the geographic distribution of marine organisms


Strengths

- slightly larger project than the previous idea
- involves exploring any part of the ocean - I will be able to draw links between them and draw conclusions for unexplored areas
- this topic will definitely interest me due to my diving background and I will therefore be willing to spend a year on it

Weaknesses

- could be too big a project and may therefore need to be slightly more specific as opposed to this initial idea
- would be costly to travel in order to gain primary data, so again this will be mainly secondary data

Opportunities

- slightly more Geography based and will therefore help my application to university in Geography or Oceanography courses

Threats

- given that this project could be too large to undertake it could result in my project being too broad or not detailed enough

Idea 1

Diving Related -?

- The role of divers in marine conservation
- How do divers benefit the underwater environment?


Research sources to be used:

Websites:
- www.coralcay.org
- www.bite-back.com
- www.mcsuk.org
- www.diveworldwide.com


Magazines:
- relevant articles in magazines such as Diver, Sport Diver, Scuba, Divernet etc.

Organisations:
- Coral Cay Conservation
- Manta Trust
- Marine Conservation Society
- BSAC
- PADI
- WSPA

Events:
- London Dive Show


Key Themes:

- Role of tourism and diving - costs and benefits
- Recreational diving vs. scientific diving
- effect on marine organisms - good or bad?

Strengths

- able to form a balanced argument to incorporate into an essay
- websites are easily accessible and I can get in touch with people through my diving club
- project should be large enough to take a year, but not too great a task
- I am passionate about diving and therefore the topic should interest me

Weaknesses

- time pressures
- would cost a lot of money to experience an expedition myself and will therefore mostly be secondary data
- may not be stretching enough

Opportunities

- I may be able to get in touch with people involved in these organisations in order to improve my understanding of the topic and thus produce a better project
- this EPQ will improve my knowledge about Oceanography and will therefore be valuable if I decided to pursue an Oceanography course or may link in with some elements of Physical Geography

Threats

- the project may be too loosely based on Geography and therefore will not necessarily help my university application if I want to study a Geography degree