FieldWork Techniques in Geography

•FieldWork Techniques in Geography

Lecture 3

•Lecture Outline

•Fieldwork techniques in geography

üField study

üField research

•Geographical field method

•Fieldwork Techniques in Geography

•Field work techniques in geography are a science of selecting observing evaluating and reporting about phenomenon in a specific area or location.

•It has two approaches field study and field research.

•Importance of Field Work Techniques in Geography

1.Enables student of geography to combine theory and practice. A study of small scale areas assist in understanding of similar problems in larger areas also, field work encourage the use of scientific method of inquiry and it enhances critical analysis of issues problems as well as making assessment of these issues.

•Cont…

2. Fieldwork involves real geography whereby field study enable students to demonstrate pattern of spatial distribution of phenomenon.

3. It impart geographical skills knowledge and concepts through well designed period. 

•Field Study

•Field study is traditional field work approach based on observation and exploration of the area, discussions and comments on landscape and landforms.

•It involves establishment of human and ecological relationship, comparing surface features (natural and manmade) with topographical, geological and soil map in case they are available.

•Cont…

•It also, involves field sketching, note writing, sketch map drawing, relief and transects drawing, measures of areas and slopes.

•Field Research

•Field research is a more recent approach to field work in this approach a problem of Geographical nature is investigated in the field and tested.

•In doing field research as an attempt to solve research problem under study.

•Steps in Field Research

•Statement of the Problem

•The statement of the problem provides the context for the research study and typically generates questions which the researcher hopes to answer.

•In considering whether or not to move forward with a research project, you will generally spend some time considering the problem.

•Cont…

•You need to be able to clearly answer the question: "what is the problem"? and "why is this problem worth my attention"?

•At the same time, the problem statement limits scope by focusing on some variables and not others.

•It also provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate why these variables are important.

•Defining the Research Matrix/Area

•Identification of research area within which the field research will be conducted at may be a large area or very small areas depending on the needs of a given problem.

•The size of the area will also determine whether full coverage can be obtained or sampling procedure need to be used.

•Cont…

•Specific and detailed data may be obtained within a small research area while general data may be gathered from large areas.

•Formulation of Hypothesis

•Hypothesis is an assumption and a guess of what the complete research would be.

•The formulation of hypothesis assume some actual knowledge of the  problem and research area.

•The more the researcher knows about the problem and area, the more educated his or her guess will be.

•Identification of Data Requirement

•After formulating your hypothesis and/or research questions, the next step is to identify the data needed to answer your questions.

•Researcher must focus only to those data which gives answers to his/her research problem.

•Categorization of Data Scale – Classification System

•Decide how to classify or categorize the data to be obtained, each class of data must be defined precisely and constructed so that observation and recording can be done in the field without confusion and unnecessary difficulties.

•Acquisition of Data with in Spatial Framework

•The acquisition of field data is accomplished in 3 ways.

1.By marking observable features and objects of landscape.

2.Interviewing to obtain information concerning to non-visible aspects of the area.

3.By using instruments such as stream gauges, thermometer, anemometer etc. This is done when precise information about a specific process is required.

•Geographical Field Method Techniques

•Geographical field method techniques is the systematic acquisition of field data. 

•Although the completion of field research problems requires detailed analysis, no special or unique  method of analysis are normally applied that are not used in the other research problem.

•Cont…

•The success of research is judged in the manner in which it is carried out rather than on whether the conclusion where positive, negative or inconclusively.

•The analysis of data when completed should answer in total or in part the question raised in the statement of the problem as well as confirm or denied the hypothesis.  

•Field Instrument

•Instrument used for geographical field study may be classified into five broad general groups.

1.Cadastral and topographical measurement – These measurements are concerned with direction, distance, difference in elevation. These instruments accurately locate points and line which form the framework in which different phenomena can be observed and recorded. Example of these instruments are survey instruments.  

•Cont…

2. Instrument concerned with surface and near surface materials – These are instruments concerned with soil and related studies such as shovel, soil colour book, soil test kit.

3. Measurement concerning with surface cover – These are measurement used to measure natural vegetation, land use and other type of surface cover. It include instrument used to measure height, thickness and quantity.

•Cont…

•For example Arial photograph of suitable scale could be used to determine percentage of ground cover or land use type. Timber calliper can be used to measure trunk diameter and tree height.

4. Measurement dealing with hydrological and meteorological issues

5. Space adjustment measurement – Concerned with measurement of motion such as wildlife migration and movement of commodities.

•Advantage of Field Research

1.The method is objective – the problem is approached scientifically

2.Investigation rather than description is stressed

3.The research findings can be used to compare with the work of others.

•Disadvantage of Field Reseach

1.Researcher has to learn a wide range of techniques before conducting a research.

2.It concentrate on a single problem therefore researcher may loose sight of the broader issue of the chosen region.

•Advantage of Field Study

1.Skills such as observation, assessment of relationship, field sketching, concise writing of personal work and careful planning are introduced.

2.The study of a small area will help appreciation of text book explanation of similar areas and wider regions.

3.Also relationship between human, environmental and geological may be better appreciated.

•Cont…

4. It develops interest on the study.

•Disadvantage of Field

1.The attempt to assess all aspect of the study area may prove to bee too complex.

2.Description rather than evaluation is encouraged.

3.Unseen aspects such as economic influences on the farmers decisions on growing certain crop may not be carefully assessed.

4.The physical landscape dominates the approach.

•Cont…

5. Maps and diagrams may be drawn without any attempt to analyze them.

•Seminar Question

•Compare and contrast between field research and field study in geography.