FIELDWORK

Fieldwork is defined as activities done outside class work involving observation, recording, interviewing,
analyzing and interpreting as well as drawing conclusions from Geographical phenomena.
Or
It’s the scientific study/method where people observe, record, analyze and interpret for themselves the realities of
man, his environment and how they are interrelated.
In other wards its geographical laboratory in the physical and human environment for the practical reality of
theoretical, conceptual and abstract knowledge.
The Geographical phenomena may be Natural or Artificial. The natural phenomena includes; climate, soils,
natural vegetation, relief, rocks, drainage etc.
On the other hand, the Artificial or man-made phenomena includes; Agricultural activities, settlement patterns,
fishing, trade, transport, forestry, mining, urbanization etc.
All these Geographical aspects are closely inter-related. For instance, Relief often influences different economic
activities; Transport routes influence linear settlement and the Relief influences soils, etc. Therefore, it is
important in fieldwork to inter-relate a number of Geographical aspects or phenomena.
IMPORTANCE OF CARRYING OUT FIELDWORK
The following are the reasons as to why students, teachers and other researchers go wandering in the
countryside’s on fieldwork studies;
1. Fieldwork enables students to collect live/up-dated information from the field since there are continuous
changing patterns from time to time.
2. Fieldwork enables students to illustrate class theories, principles and concepts (theoretical knowledge) with real
examples in the environment.
3. Fieldwork helps students to get familiar to environment examples in which they live other than basing on those
given in Textbooks.
4. Fieldwork offers a variety of activities in a more lively way, which breaks a class monotonous couching and
learning.
5. Fieldwork prepares pupils to the life after school since they are introduced to different working systems which
they are yet to find after school
6. Fieldwork enables students to acquire various skills like the skill of map reading, sketching, interpretation,
drawing graphs, effective skills of sorting, relating and reporting effectively/relevantly, precisely and
conveniently; skills of measuring and recording the elements of weather; skills of observing Geographical
phenomena and their relationship and skills of dealing with people of different divergent inclinations.
7. Statistical methods and skills used in fieldwork can be applied in other subjects and fields like maths, physics,
chemistry and biology for instance drawing of graphs, charts, tables and other illustrative diagrams can be used in
those subjects.
8. It enables students to be exposed to new equipments in their areas of fieldwork study like those at the
meteorological station (weather instruments).
9. Through fieldwork, students get to know how information collected is used to write field research books as
they make a fieldwork report.
10. It enables students to acquire attitudes to make decisions and judgments, which are meaningful and effective
after personal exposure to the real physical and human/artificial environment in the field.
11. Students in the field see, learn, and easily remember and understand directly the location, appearance, the
importance and consequences of the Geographical phenomena.
12. Through fieldwork, students are trained in the application of different research methods, which are not only
useful at their “A” Level study but also later in life and in higher learning.
13. Fieldwork presents to students a more composite picture of the inter-relationships between the Geographical
aspects/phenomena. (Physical and human, physical and physical, then human and human).
DISADVANTAGES OF CARRYING OUT FIELDWORK
1. Fieldwork is expensive especially where costs have to be incurred like sending questionnaires, buying of
equipments or tools to be used in researching.
2. The researcher may face the danger of hostility from the community where the fieldwork is to be carried out
especially when the community mistakes the researcher’s aims.
3. Fieldwork is a tedious work as it involves many activities at ago like interviewing, observing, recording,
measuring etc.
4. It is time consuming
5. Analyzing and interpreting of the collected data is always a difficult task to the students/researcher.
6. Possible apathy/resistance from parents, community and the school Authority in allowing students to carryout
fieldwork.
7. Lack of adequate expertise/experience in the existing personnel i.e. Teachers and supervisors which results in
inadequate guidance.
8. Unpredictable changes such as changes in weather, social and political turmoil or insecurity or an area declared
out of bound.
9. Possible lack of equipments or tools needed in fieldwork like survey maps, tape measures, measuring cylinders,
meter rulers, sampling containers, binoculars and a camera etc.
10. Possible lack of records where bookkeeping has not been seriously taken as important.
11. Language barrier since some people may find it difficult to communicate in their local languages.

PROCEDURES OF CARRYING OUT FIELDWORK

There are three major categories under which fieldwork is done namely;
1. Pre-field study or pre-field preparation.
2. Real fieldwork studying or organization or excursion
3. Follow up study or class discussion.
A. PRE-FIELD STUDY / PREPARATIONS.
This is the backbone of the field excursions. It’s the study before the actual fieldwork study. Adequate
arrangements must be first done before going to the field. It involves the following steps.
a) Conceiving a problem, which arise from any topic on the Geography syllabus to be researched on.
b) Identifying the area of study basing on the problem above from where information and data would be got. It
should be in reach of the researcher and appropriate for the problem.
c) Seeking permission from the school Authority to endorse for the fieldwork study. And also secondly, seeking
permission from the local Authority of the area of study chose above to be allowed to carry out fieldwork in their
locality.
d) Carrying out a pilot study. This is a tour to the area identified noting important geographical phenomena which
will help at the real fieldwork and being knowledgeable of the equipments needed in the fieldwork as well as
methods to be used.
e) Choosing what to study about (the topic of study), which should be related to conceived problem above. It
should have; geographical validity, covering a smallest unit possible, being specific and not general, being
interrelated with a number of geographical phenomena, being original and easy to interpret.
f) Formulating objectives of the study, which should be in relation to the topic of the study. The objectives should
be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and testable) during the fieldwork research. Constructional
words must be used while stating them e.g. find out, suggest, identify, examine, describe, discover, etc. but words
like; know, understand, appreciate, study, comprehend, etc. must totally be avoided while stating the objectives of
the study.
g) Choosing the methods to be used in fieldwork, these are used to investigate and collect data. They may include
among others; observation, recording, interviewing, sampling, map orientation, measurement, etc.
h) Choosing the tools or equipments to be used while collecting data aiding the above methods like map extracts,
binoculars, cameras, measuring tapes, meter rulers, text books, etc.
i) Reviewing the already written literature on the similar topic of the study so as to be enlightened about what is
expected in the field.
j) Distributing and time allocating fieldwork tasks like sketching work, interview work, observation, etc.
k) Briefing and departure to the area of study is done after taking last instructions or warning procedures to follow
and availing all the needed arrangements as set at that time before going the field.
B. REAL / ACTUAL FIELDWORK EXCURSION.
During the real fieldwork study, the main activity is to collect data/information related to the topic and objectives
stated earlier in preparation (stage 1). It involves applying the chosen methods as well as equipments / tools to be
used while collecting information. Various methods with the aid of equipments are used in collecting and
recording of information from the field. Among them the main ones are:
Observation method involves the use of naked or optical eyes and other human senses to identify and view the
Geographical phenomena in the field.
Advantages of observation method
1. It gives firsthand information, which is factual and reliable as well as accurate because the researcher is
physically in the field him/herself.
 2. It gives direct information as a result of direct observation.
3. It is a quick method and speeds up the work within a short period of time.
4. It requires no personal contact with other people.
5. It is less costly because it needs few materials or tools while collecting data.
6. It gives the chance to the researcher to have personal judgment of what is on ground.
7. It avoids the problem of language barrier like in interviewing.
Disadvantages of observation method
1. It leaves out some important information which cannot be observed or as a result of poor observation like
historical background, an employee’s / er’s salary, prices of the produce, etc.
2. It cannot be used by people with poor sight.
3. Since it requires physical appearance of the observer, expenses are incurred while traveling.
4. It requires seeking permission from the area of study so as to observe without interferences.
5. Its limited when there are obstacles making such areas in accessible due to poor drainage, relief, etc.
6. Information may be misinterpreted because it depends on individual preference.
7. It may not be applied in case there is an abrupt weather change like prolonged rainfall.
Interviewing method is the conversation with questions and answers between the interviewer and the
interviewees. It involves direct questioning and answering or face-to-face discussion between the researcher and
the respondents in relation to the fieldwork study using an interview guide and a mouth.
An example
For instance, when it’s on urbanization in Luzira trading Centre, questions and answers are expected to be like;
Interviewer: What is the historical background of Luzira trading Centre?
Interviewee: Answer
Interviewer: What is the location of Luzira trading Centre?
Interviewee: Answer

Advantages of interviewing method Disadvantages of the interviewing method

1. Firsthand information is obtained because of the 1. Language could be a serious problem if the researcher
physical presence of the researcher. does not understand the local languages used by the local
2. Correct information is collected at spot due to the people.
presence of the interviewee. 2. It is time consuming when many people are to be
3. More information is collected where inadequate interviewed or when a language interpreter is to be used.
answers are given using many interviewees’. 3. Direct hostilities may erupt when the respondents
4. It provides hidden information like historical misinterprets/don’t understand what the researcher is all
background, income earned, prices of the produce, etc. about.
5. It provides up-to-date information because those 4. It is reliable to personal biases and exaggerations
interviewed are local people in the area. 5. Possibility of low quality data and lack of
 6. It promotes good relationship with the local people comparability of results obtained may occur.
due to the interaction between the two. 6. Some people are reluctant in sparing time to give
7. It is a flexible method because the interview guides information to the researcher.
can be changed according to people’s personality. 7. Some information may not be given due to fear of tax
8. It is not restricted to only those people who can read by the government or not to be embarrassed or when it is
and write considered to be confidential.
9. The validity of the information collected can be 8. It requires the researcher to be gentle and diplomatic,
assessed immediately with the researcher and the which some researchers can’t bear like students thus
respondents. failure to obtain data.
10. It is less costly as it involves less expense. 9. It requires seeking permission from the concerned
11. It is lively as it involves direct flow of information authorities, which may delay the study.
from the interviewees to the interviewer.
12. It is the fast method of collecting data.

Questionnaire method is similar to interviewing except there is no direct contact between the researcher and the
respondents. A questionnaire is a list of questions composed or set, typed and printed and sent to the respondent to be
answered through post office or any other means. Answers are later sent back to the researcher.
A format of the questionnaire is like that of an interview method, but the respondent fills the questions of the
questionnaire at a later stage after receiving the questionnaire guide.
Advantages of Questionnaire method Disadvantages of the Questionnaire method

1. It helps to get information from people in distant 1. It is rigid because the information collected is
places. unchangeable.
2. It can be used to get information of a very large 2. It is limited to the literate people who can read and
number of people because questionnaires are given to write.
many people. 3. Few people are willing to attend to the questionnaires
3. It gives the respondent ample time to answer. and even to return them.
4. The presence of the researcher is not a prerequisite 4. it’s expensive in terms of typing, printing and posting
(requirement). the questions.
5. It gives the respondent to feel free while expressing 5. Assessing of the information obtained is tiresome
his ideas. because of the different and many people used.
6. It saves time because more people are questioned at 6. It is time consuming in terms of setting questions,
ago through different questionnaires. typing, printing as well as sending them.
7. It provides permanent record of important 7. It is a slow method because questionnaires are sent
information since data is on a questionnaire itself. back at the respondent’s free will.
8. It avoids irrelevant information since questions are 8. It is a risky method because the posted questionnaire
organized systematically according to the aims and letters may not reach the places of interest.
objectives of the study. 9. Wrong information may be obtained because there are
9. It is cheap when transport costs are not involved on a lot of mistakes, omissions and exaggerations.
the side of the researcher. 10. It provides a narrow scope of information since the
10. It helps to avoid a problem of language barrier. researcher is not present physically to collect more
additional information.

Recording method involves storing down the data collected from the field in form of writing down the
information collected using the other methods and drawing all the field sketches like maps, transects and
panoramic views, diagrams, tables, graphs and other field illustrations with help of writing materials like pen,
 ruler, pencil and papers. It is done in a systematic order and in an understandable manner for easy interpretation
and concluding meaningfully later on in the follow up stage.
Advantages of recording Disadvantages of the recording method

1. It stores information, which is used in making data 1. It is difficult to use this method, where there is
analysis and writing the report of the fieldwork. unpredictable change in weather.
2. It is a direct method because information is got and 2. It is expensive in terms of the materials used like
written on the spot. papers, pens, cameras, tape recorders, etc.
3. It gives firsthand information because the researcher 3. It may not apply when the researcher is illiterate.
physically records it in the field. 4. It requires having the skills of recording to avoid
4. It makes the researcher active in the field because he irrelevant data.
physically writes down the information and also draws 5. It is tiresome because of the surveying, observing and
all the necessary sketches and illustrations. other fieldwork activities as well as recording down.
5. It enables the researcher to acquire the skills of
determining the validity of the data.
6. It gives the actual appearance of the area of study in
form of sketches drawn.
7. It is a quick and fast method since information is
collected directly.
8. It does not require any assistance of another person to
record down the data.

Field sketching involves the drawing of sketch maps, transects and panoramas using writing materials like base
map, compass, pen, ruler, pencil and papers showing the geographical features.
a) Sketch maps is a representation of the field area of study as seen from above and drawn to show the location
of the physical and man-made features. It gives a clear view of the information about the geographical
phenomena observed in the field area of study.

A good sketch map should have the following;

 Title
 Compass direction
 Key/labeling
 Frame
 Physical features
 Human features
 Nearby places
b) Transect is a cross section or sketch section of the field area of study. It can be drawn from east to West,
North to South or any other opposite directions. It is drawn appropriately when the researcher walks across the
area of study in a linear form, observing and recording the geographical aspects like changes in relief, altitude,
types of soils, vegetation types, Land uses and other geographical aspects.
A transect should have the following;
 Title
  Frame
 Direction of drawing
 Shading of the ground
 Labeling
 Physical features
 Human features
 Nearby places
c) Panoramas is a representation of the sketch diagrams in a pictorial way or drawings of the geographical
features in the area of study while standing at one point preferably on a raised area.
It shows the general appearance of the area of study as s seen form a particular point.
Panoramas should have the following;
 Title
 Direction of drawing/ view point
 Key/labeling
 Frame
 Physical features
 Human features
 Nearby places.
NB: When an annotated field sketch is to be drawn, a key is less vital or not needed, all major labeling must be
done in the real sketch drawn. If, in all cases, the labeling is too congested, a provisional key could be drawn for
only minor symbols and labeling.
Advantages of field sketching
1. Skills of drawing sketches are acquired.
2. Sketching summarizes the geographical findings obtained in the field.
3. Information obtained on the sketches can be used as reference in follow-up stage.
Disadvantages of field sketching
1. It is costly as various tools are required in drawings.
2. It is hindered in case of unpredictable change in weather
3. Some features may not be drawn as other physical features may obstruct them.
Photography / Videography involves taking pictures / video clips of geographical phenomenon using a lens
camera / smart phone. Advantages of Photography 1. Provides data which can be analyzed after the field work
study.
2. Trains students the skills of photography. 3. Provides accurate and a variety of information. Disadvantages of
Photography 1. Cameras and batteries are very rare in remote areas due to poverty or ideological backwardness.
2. Expensive to buy. 3. Light may affect the quality of the photographs.
Measurement is the establishment of the relationship between features in form of length, size, weight, height (of
any feature) in the field to obtain actual results using measuring devices like meter rule, tape measure, measuring
cylinder, weather instruments, speed meter, weighing scale, compass, etc.
Advantages of measurement. Disadvantages of measurement.
1. It helps to establish the relationship between 1. It is time consuming since it requires measuring
geographical aspects in the field. accurately.
2. It gives accurate information because of the 2. It is expensive in terms of the measuring devices
measuring devices needed.
3. It gives firsthand information as the measuring 3. It is tiresome especially when, what to be measured is
devices are applied directly. big or large or long.
4. It is an efficient way of collecting information. 4. It is not applied where physical features act as
5. It helps in analyzing and making conclusions on the barriers like poorly drained areas and steep slopes.
collected data.

Pacing is finding out the lengths and sizes of specific geographical features by means of strides called paces like
a road, etc. that is counting paces
Advantages of pacing. Disadvantages of pacing.

1. It is a quick method of finding the length and size. 1. It lacks accuracy, as every pacing is just an
2. It is cheap, as it does not require any instrument in approximate.
pacing. 2. It is not applied in area where physical features act as
barriers like poorly drained areas and steep slopes.

Sampling method is the systematic selection of items out of the total population to be interviewed or observed.
The population does not only mean people but any group of variable in the field of study, which represents the
whole study.
Advantages of sampling.
1. It saves time as the researcher deals with a few variables of the group/a part of the whole group.
2. A detailed study out of the sample can easily be under taken / studied.
Disadvantages of sampling.
1. It generalizes the information collected to the whole group.
2. It leaves out unique features or characteristics of geographical phenomena, not found in the sample.
Map orientation refers to the determination of the position of a place or any geographical phenomena in relation
to the compass direction and all their actual positions. In other words, it involves aligning and marking of
geographical features on the sketch map drawn in relation to the actual ground to see whether the features shown
on the sketch map relate with what is on the actual ground using a base/survey map.
Advantages of map orientation. Disadvantages of map orientation.

1. It helps in marking features in their right positions 1. Some existing maps are out dated.
2. It gives up-to-date information on the map from the 2. It is expensive as it involves the designing of detailed
students’ (researchers’) observation in the field. scaled maps.
3. It helps in data analysis and writing fieldwork report. 3. Some researchers lack the skills of map reading and
interpretation.
Consultation of written documents. This is also the analysis of the existing information/documentary analysis.
It involves consulting information in the already written documents like textbooks, newspapers, magazines, maps,
statistics and other illustrative materials as secondary sources and primary sources about the particular topic of
study in the field.

Advantages of consultation method. Disadvantages of consultation method.

1. The information is provided in the shortest period 1. Due to insecurity and poor recording keeping, most of
of time. the written information is being lacked in many firms
2. It tends to provide accurate information. and areas.
3. It helps in data analysis and writing fieldwork 2. It is expensive in making the written information.
report. 3. Some documents contain out dated materials.

C. FOLLOW UP STAGE.
This is a general comprehensive discussion carried out by the researchers immediately when they come back from
the field study so as to re-organize the results of the data collected and fostering an understanding of the field
studies through intellectual reflection aided by empirical data.
Therefore, the following activities are carried out in the follow up stage;
1. Organization of the data. Data collected from the field through the various methods should be organized and all
the information arranged under that particular unit (objective).
2. Compiling data. The organized data is then compiled systematically according to the stated objectives of the
fieldwork study.
3. Comparison of the data collected. The different data got/collected through the various methods is compared so
as to revert to the correct information only, while omitting errors and repetitions.
4. Drawing and polishing sketches. All the fieldwork sketches like maps, cross sections, panoramas, tables,
graphs and other illustrations (diagrams) are polished up from being rough as they were drawn in the field.
5. Analyzing and interpretation of data. Through a field discussion, analysis and interpretation of the compiled
data from the field is made to effect various relationships between natural and natural phenomena, Natural and
man-made phenomena and between man- made and man-made phenomena.
6. Verification of data. The information interpreted and analyzed should be verified with that in the existing
written documents like textbooks, maps research and other secondary materials. Sometimes, verification is done,
by going back to the site of study.
7. Giving recommendations and suggestions from the fieldwork finding. The researcher is expected to give his
opinion as an advice, proposal, way forward, or a solution basing on the problems in the area of the study.
8. Drawing conclusions from the data collected, analyzed, interpreted and verified. A general conclusion is drawn
by the researcher using the findings of his/her own fieldwork study to be applied to similar problem of the topic in
rest of the world.
9. Writing the report. This involves the use of both written descriptions and illustrations to write a research report
orderly and in a clear manner about the topic of study in the relation to the stated objectives.
10. Presentation of fieldwork study data. The fieldwork findings should be presented to all relevant stakeholders
for example the class teacher, subject teacher, head teacher, Geography department, District, the area of study
Authority and any other concerned Authority.
11. Evaluation of the Data from the fieldwork. In this the extent to which the fieldwork objectives were achieved
as intended or determined.