An integrated stratigraphic method for determining total organic carbon (TOC) in a rock formation is provided, The method includes performing a geochemical analysis method to create a geochemical dataset; performing a chronostratigraphic method to create a chronostratigraphic dataset; performing a graphic correlation of the chronostratigaphic dataset from at least one location in the rock formation; determining a sequence stratigraphic model based on the graphic correlation; and generating a palaeogeographic reconstruction at one or more time periods by integrating the sequence stratigraphic model with the geochemical dataset to construct a predictive depositional model and determine a location and areal extent of total organic carbon within the rock formation.