FIELDWORK IN GEOGRAPHY Definition of Fieldwork This is

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 • • • 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.