Scientific study of geography using the environment as a laboratory or source of information.
Types of Field Work
- Field Excursion
Visiting an area near or far from the school to see geographical phenomena then note down and discuss later in class.
Aim
- a) Reinforce what has been learnt in class
- b) Gain more geographical knowledge
- c) Identify and appreciate geographical features
- d) Identify problems of geographical interest
- Field Research
Systematic problem solving done by experts in which scientific methods of collecting, recording and analysing data are used.
- Field Study
Study conducted within a neighbourhood in which one theme is pursued e.g. ‘A study of a local farm’.
Importance of Field Work
- Reinforces what has been learnt in class.
- Enables one to gain more geographical knowledge.
- It breaks the monotony of classroom work.
- It provides learner with practical skills of collecting, recording and analysing data and report writing.
- Gives students an opportunity to go out and practise what they have learnt in class.
- Enables students to familiarise themselves with the environment and develop a positive attitude towards it.
- Enables students to develop a positive attitude towards manual work.
- Promotes development of virtues like cooperation by working in groups.
Field Work Procedure (Steps Followed)
- Identification of Topic/Theme
Reason why you want to carry out field study e.g. ‘A study of rocks around the school’
- Identification of the Area of Study
Determining the area to be used for study.
Should be chosen carefully to ensure that the field study is successful.
Conditions It Should Meet
a) Should contain sufficient information
b) Should be within a convenience distance to reduce expenses
- Statement of Objectives
Stating aims of carrying the field study.
Act as guidelines to activities to be undertaken during field work.
They should be simple, brief, testable and achievable. E.g. for the topic ‘A study of a local farm’ objectives could be stated as follows:
- To find out methods of farming in a local farm
- To identify the cattle breeds in the farm
- To investigate the problems facing the farm.
- Formulation of Hypotheses
Assumptions set before field work whose validity or acceptance is to be proved.
Types of Hypotheses
- Null Hypothesis (Ho)
One stated in negative form e.g. ‘There is no relationship between rainfall and crop yield’.
2. Alternative/Substantive hypothesis (H1)
One stated positively e.g. ‘most foodstuffs sold in the neighbourhood don’t come from the immediate neighbourhood’.
Quantitative words should be used e.g. more, most, majority.
It should not be obvious.
- Preparation of the Field Study
It involves:
a) Seek Permission from Relevant Authorities
-Seeking permission from school and authority in the area you are visiting.
It is important to:
- To avoid being denied permission to enter there
- Enables individuals to set early the suitable date and time of visit
- Helps to arrange for a guide to conduct you around
b) Conduct Reconnaissance (Pre-Visit)
-A familiarisation tour of the intended area of study.
It is important to:
- To determine appropriate routes to be taken
- Enables to get documents from officials
- Helps one to identify the appropriate methods of data collection
- Helps to identify appropriate equipment to be used
c) Hold Discussion In Class
Looking through formulated objectives and hypotheses.
It’s important to:
- Determine their suitability
- Make adjustments
- Decide upon data recording methods
d) Preparation of a Questionnaire
Important where the interviewer is not able to be with respondents for a long time.
- e) Dividing Into Groups
- To ease congestion in the area of study
- To create order during field work
- To reduce fatigue among participants
- To help participants collect data within the time given
f) Preparation for Documents
1. Topographical maps to show the routes you will follow
(a) Tables for filling in information
(b) Permission documents
- g) Reading Through Relevant Books
Reading about the topic and the area of study
Important in that it helps participants to know:
(a) The kind of data they need to collect
(b) The techniques to be employed in the field.
- h) Preparation of a Work Schedule
-A timetable to be followed on the day of field study.
It is important to:
(a) Indicate the specific time when each activity should take place
(b) Reduce time wastage by ensuring proper time management
(c) Ensure all important areas are covered and none is forgotten
(f) Provide an estimate of total time required for study
i) Selection of Important Tools and Equipment
Tape measure and rulers for measuring, pencils for drawing sketch maps, notebooks for writing notes, polythene bag for sorting and carrying samples, cameras for taking photographs, geological hammer getting rock samples and hoe for digging to get soil samples, etc.
- Carrying Out the Field Study
-Setting off to go to the area of study to look for data where techniques of collecting and recording data are applied.
Follow Up Activities
-After data is collected and recorded it’s summarised in the following ways:
- Discussing the findings in class giving reports through group leaders
- Writing reports in essay form
- Calculation of percentages, means, medians and modes
- Laboratory testing of samples
Presentation of data using methods such as graphs, pie charts, etc