3.1 Designing fieldwork

Question 1

Fieldwork

Answer 1

• a systematic approach to investigate geographical
  phenomena and their related issues.
• There are five stages in the fieldwork process:
  1. Craft research question or hypothesis
  2. Collection of data
  3. Analysis of data
  4. Presentation of findings
  5. Conclusion and evaluation

Question 2

Research question & hyposthesis

Answer 2

• fieldwork always begin with research question or hypothesis
• this involves:
  1. identifying a topic or a thesis from credible sources such as textbooks, news articles and websites
  2. crafting a research question or hypothesis

Question 3

Research question

Answer 3

• A question that outlines a specific scope for investigation related to the topic.
• Often used where little research exists or the relationships between the variables are uncertain.
• Inquisitive in nature.
• Many possible conclusions may be formed at the end of the investigation.
  Example:
  • How does the temperature in the school field change over the course of a day?

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

• A measurable statement consisting of one or two variables.
• Often used when a large body of research on the topic is available and relationships between the variables are quite certain.
• Predictive in nature.
• A definite conclusion is formed at the end of the investigation.
  Example:
  • The temperature of the school field is highest at 3pm.

Question 5

Primary vs Secondary data

Answer 5

Primary Data:
- collected first-hand.
- like hotographs and sketches taken by fieldwork researchers.
- like responses from closed-ended questionnaire surveys administered by fieldwork researchers.

Secondary Data:
- collected by someone else.
- like books, newspaper articles, journals and maps produced by other authors

Question 6

Quantitative data vs Qualitative Data

Answer 6

Quantitative:
- data that can be quantified or measured
- like responses from closed-ended questionnaires surveys

Qualitative Date:
- Data that are not easily measurable and are subjective in nature
- like responses to open-ended questions in semi-structured interviews

Question 7

Sequence of data collection

Answer 7

1. Quantitative before qualitative
2. Qualitative before quantitative

Question 8

Quantitative before qualitiative

Answer 8

1. quantitative data collected to identify patterns and trends
2. qualitative data collected to examine patterns and trends observed

Question 9

Qualitative before quantitative

Answer 9

1. Qualitative collected to make observations
2. Quantitative used to verify observations

Question 10

Limitations of designing fieldwork

Answer 10

• need to determine scope of investigation based on:
  1. Data to be collected (how much can you collect?)
  2. Time available & time frame
  3. Access of places
  4. Availability of equipment
  5. Manpower
  6. Study Area (a shopping mall? a HDB block?)
  7. Sample size

Question 11

Risks in fieldwork

Answer 11

• consider risk to avoid harming oneself, others and nature
• Falls, cuts, minor injuries: Wear proper footwear and clothing & take note of potential hazards
• Traffic accidents, collisions with cyclists: take note of traffic hazards & road crossing procedures; avoid collecting data on road or cyclists’ path