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FIELDWORK IN
GEOGRAPHY
Definition of Fieldwork
This is the practical aspect of
Geography where students go out
of the classroom to study
geographical features.
Reasons for Carrying out Fieldwork
1. To obtain original information or data about
a geographical feature or aspect. Such
information may not exist in a documented
form.
2. To obtain up-to-date information about an
area. This is because the environment is
always changing.
3. To gather first hand information that may
not be distorted in any way.
Reasons for carrying out Fieldwork
4. To relate what has been studied in class
with real examples in the field in order to
understand them better.
5. To obtain and acquire skills in research
methods e.g. interviewing, observation,
questionnaire method, etc.
6. To obtain and acquire skills in the use of
geographical equipment.
7. To obtain and acquire skills in map drawing
or cartography
Reasons for Carrying out Fieldwork
8.
9.
To expose oneself to a variety of
environments and socio-economic
conditions so as to broaden one’s
experience.
To provide an opportunity for relaxation
from routine classroom teaching.
Problems/Limitations of Fieldwork
a) It tends to be time consuming i.e. a lot of time
is taken to gather, information.
b) Language barrier may hinder communication
with the local people in the area being studied
c) It is expensive in terms of transport, equipment
and other expenses.
d) It may be hindered by poor or bad weather
conditions such as rain, fog, hot sunshine.
e) There is a risk of accidents and danger from wild
animals or insects.
Problems/Limitations of Fieldwork
f) Tall trees or obstacles like tall buildings may
obstruct observation.
g)Noise in the field may disrupt interviewing during
field work.
h)Some people or respondents in the field are
uncooperative i.e. may refuse to give information.
i) Lack of adequate equipment or tools e.g. Survey
maps, Cameras, Weather instruments etc.
j) The school administration or community leaders
may sometimes not allow field work on the grounds
that is time consuming and tends to interfere with
the school programme.
Methods of Gathering Information in
the Field
1. Observation:- Involves the use of the eye to
see geographical features in the field.
2. Interviewing:- Involves asking questions
about what is being studied especially about
what cannot be observed easily.
3. Recording:- Involves taking a permanent
record of what is being studied e.g. making
notes, Photography, video recording etc.
Methods (continued)
4. Sketching:- Field sketching involves drawing sketch
diagrams and maps in the field. It includes:
i) Sketch map drawing.
ii Panorama sketching.
iii) Transect drawing or cross section drawing.
5. Measuring:- This involves obtaining information on
distance, height, depth, width etc. It also involves
the measurement of the elements of weather and
climate.
6. Pacing:- Involves the use of strides or paces to
obtain rough estimates for a distance.
Methods (continued)
7. Sampling:-This involves selecting a specimen
to be used for further analysis or study. A
specimen sample chosen should be
representative of the rest. It may be random
or selective sampling.
8. Questionnaire: Involves the use of printed or
written questions given to appropriate
persons to fill in or provide answers
(information) at their own time and pace.
Methods (continued)
9. Map Reading: Involves the use of survey maps to
obtain information above unfamiliar routes,
features or places. One can also obtain information
about height or altitude of an area through map
reading. This is referred to secondary data
collection.
10. Photo reading:- This involves the use of aerial
photographs or satellite images of an area to
identify features or areas as well as routes in the
area of study. These aerial photographs may also
help one to sketch more accurate maps of the area
of study.
Methods (continued)
11. Map Orientation:- Involves placing or adjusting a
map in such a way that the direction on the
ground is the same or corresponding with that on
the map. In such way, one is able to read a survey
map correctly or fill in a base map correctly.
12. Documentary Method:- Involves obtaining
information from the records of an organization like
a farm, factory etc. Information may also be
obtained from textbooks, atlases, video tapes,
audio tapes or CDs etc. This is referred to as
secondary data collection.
Methods (continued)
13. Filling in Sketches:- Involves filling in
incomplete diagrams of features or
incomplete maps (base maps) when one is
already in the field.
Stages of Fieldwork
There are three stages of field work which
include the following:1. Preparation stage
2. Fieldwork proper stage
3. Follow up stage
Preparation Stage
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This is the stage before going out into the field. In
this stage one makes preparation for the field study
such as the following:
Conducting a pilot study
Formulating the topic and objectives of study.
Designing the methods to use.
Selecting the equipment to use
Seeking permission from the school authority and
from where you could wish to visit.
Making other preparations such as organizing
transport, eats and drinks, protective gear etc.
Fieldwork Proper Stage
This is the stage when one is in the field
gathering information using the various
methods and techniques such as asking
questions, observing, sketching, taking
notes etc.
Follow up Stage
This is the stage when one is back from
the field. In the follow up stage one
analyses the raw information collected
and writes a report after interpreting the
information. In the report, one also
polishes the sketch diagrams drawn.
Fieldwork Equipment
The following tools or equipment may be used
when collecting information in the field:
1. Stationery:
Writing and drawing equipment i.e. paper,
pencil, pens etc. for recording or sketching.
2. Field Compass/Prismatic Compass:
To determine or find out direction or bearing
while in the field.
Field compasses
Prismatic compass
Magnetic compass
Fieldwork Equipment (Continued)
3. Binoculars/Telescopes:
To observe distant objects or features in the
field.
4. Maps:
Survey maps may be used for map reading
and base maps could be used for filling in
observable features in the field.
5. Excavation Tools:
Tools like hand hoes, spades and mattocks for
digging in order to reveal the soil profile.
Binoculars
Refracting Astronomical Telescope
Newtonian Reflecting Telescope
Fieldwork Equipment (Continued)
6. Measurement equipment:
Such as tape measures, metres rulers etc. for
obtaining information about distance.
7. Weather instruments:
Such as a rain gauge, sixth’s thermometer,
hygrometer, sunshine recorder etc. for the
measurement and recording of the elements
of weather.
Rain Gauge and Wind anemometer
Mercury and Aneroid Barometers
Fieldwork Equipment (Continued)
8. Cameras:
For example video cameras/camcorders and
still photograph cameras. This can be used for
filming or recording pictures of geographical
features and activities.
9. Audio Tape Recorders or Cassette Recorders:
These can be used for recording interviews.
Image Recorders
Camera
Camcorder
Cassette Recorders
Fieldwork Equipment (Continued)
10. Questionnaires:
These are forms of printed questions to be
filled in by appropriate persons at their own
time and pace.
11. Aerial Photo graphs:
These may also include Satellite images. They
are mainly used for photo reading.
Satellite image of Kampala central
Fieldwork Study Topics and
Objectives
Any geographical fieldwork study must
have a topic and objectives. Therefore
there is need for one to formulate an
appropriate or suitable field work topic
and good objectives before going out into
the field.
• A good fieldwork topic should be geographical and
descriptive. The statement of the topic should be
geographical indicating what is to be studied and
where i.e. what the fieldwork study is about and
where it is going to be carried out.
• Statements of the objectives should be specific,
clear and related to the topic of study. Acceptable
objectives need to be measurable i.e. their
statements should include phrases like to locate, to
investigate, to find out, to compare etc.
Phrases such as to understand, to know, to study, to
experience, to learn etc. are not acceptable
because they are not measurable.
EXAMPLE
Topic:
The study of the growth and
development of Gayaza High School
Farm in Nangabo, Wakiso District.
Objectives
1. To locate the farm.
2. To find out the historical background of the farm,
3. To identify the characteristics of the farm
4. To find out the types of livestock and crops raised
on the farm.
5. To find out the benefits of the farm.
6. To find out the problems facing the farm and how
they are being solved.
7. To discover the future plans of the farm.
Geographical skills obtained in
fieldwork
1. Skills in the use of research methods like
interviewing etc. to obtain information.
2. Skills in handling and using equipment
i.e. psycho-motor skills.
3. Map drawing/cartographic skills.
4. Skills in the formulation of geographical
fieldwork topics and objectives.
5. Skills in interpreting and analysing raw
data or information obtained from the
field.
6. Public relations skills.
Geographical knowledge obtained
from fieldwork.
a) Knowledge on the physical background of the
area e.g. relief, natural vegetation etc.
b) Knowledge on the utilisation of the
environment for economic activities.
c) Knowledge on the socio-cultural and political
uses of the environment.
d) Knowledge about the interrelationships
between the physical and the human factors.