FIELDWORK IN

GEOGRAPHY
Definition of Fieldwork
This is the practical aspect of
Geography where students go
out of the classroom to study
geographical features.
Why is fieldwork important in geography?

Fieldwork is an essential ingredient of

geography because it provides a ‘real-world’
opportunity for students to develop and extend
their geographical thinking.

It adds value to classroom experiences. The

outdoors is a resource for geographical learning
and fieldwork should be planned as part of the
geography curriculum, not added on as a
‘special’ activity.

Geography fieldwork is very much ‘hands on’;

when students are involved in fieldwork
enquiries they are collecting primary data;
formulating questions to investigate; seeking
answers to their questions; and communicating
There is widespread agreement among
teachers, parents and politicians that
fieldwork is beneficial; unfortunately, this is
not enough to guarantee the place of
fieldwork in the curriculum. There has been
a marked decline in fieldwork provision.

In
recent years UNIVERSITIES are increasingly
unwilling to allow fieldwork for a number of
reasons like college timetable pressures,
reduced funding, anxieties about safety are
all seen as barriers to fieldwork.
 Reasons for Carrying out Fieldwork
 To obtain original information or data about a
geographical feature or aspect. Such information may
not exist in a documented form.
 To obtain up-to-date information about an area. This is
because the environment is always changing.
 To gather first hand information that may not be
distorted or one-sided in any way.
 To relate what has been studied in class with real
examples in the field in order to understand them
better.
 To obtain and acquire skills in research
methods. e.g. interviewing, observation,
questionnaire method, etc.
 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
 It tends to be time consuming i.e. a lot of time is
taken to gather information.
 Language barrier may hinder communication with
the local people in the area being studied.
 It is expensive in terms of transport, equipment and
other expenses.
 It may be hindered by poor or bad weather
conditions such as rain, fog, hot sunshine, etc.
 There is a risk of accidents and danger from wild
animals or insects.
 Noise in the field may disrupt interviewing during
field
work.
 Some people or respondents in the field are un-
cooperative i.e. may refuse to give information.
 Lack of adequate equipment or tools e.g. Survey
maps, Cameras, Weather instruments etc.
 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.
4. Sketching:- Field sketching involves drawing
sketch diagrams and maps in the field.
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:-Pacing is a reasonably easy and quick
method of measuring distance in the field. It
involves the use of steps or paces to obtain rough
estimates for a distance.
 7. Sampling:- This involves selecting a specimen 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.
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.
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, diagrams, video tapes, audio
tapes or CDs, etc. This is referred to as secondary data collection.
 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
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
college/university 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 the direction or
bearing in the field.
 Field compasses
Prismatic compass Magnetic compass
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 and
mattocks are used for digging to reveal the soil
profile.
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.
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.
Cassette Recorders
10.Questionnaires: These are forms of
printed questions to be filled in by
appropriate persons at their own time and
pace.
11. Aerial Photographs: These may also
include Satellite images. They are mainly
used for photo reading.